Youth Football Team Sacks Hunger With Drive For Food Pantry

NEW LENOX, IL — The members of the New Lenox Junior Warriors Super Lightweight football team are learning what it takes to be champions on and off the field. More than three dozen Warriors did their part to help fight hunger by donating bags of food to the New Lenox Food Pantry Oct. 20.

The team also toured the pantry, learned about food shortages in the community and helped organize food on the shelves, according to New Lenox Youth Football Association Volunteer Director Elizabeth Davies.

"It's a Super Lightweight tradition that we give back to the community," said head coach Kevin McWilliams. "It’s important to the Junior Warriors that we develop not only good football players, but good citizens."

The food pantry, located at 1100 S. Cedar Road in New Lenox, is available to New Lenox residents in need of food supplies and other assistance, according to information on its website. The pantry is open from 9:30 a.m to 11:30 a.m., and from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Proof of residency is required to receive items.

The Junior Warriors Super Lightweight team is operated by the New Lenox Youth Football Association and is made up of local first, second and third graders, Davies said. The team went undefeated during its regular season against teams from Frankfort, Orland Park, Tinley Park, Homer Glen, Homewood-Flossmoor and Chicago, Davies said. The Junior Warriors program offers football and cheerleading for children in first through eighth grade.

For more information on how to receive support or donate to the food pantry, visit the New Lenox Township website. More information on the New Lenox Youth Football Association can be found in its website.

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