A special food distribution


CHRIS FOX PHOTO

District 88 recently extended the hours of service and the number of meals provided through its community food-service program. Each week, seven days’ worth of free meals are available to all residents up to the age of 18. The meals—seven breakfasts, seven lunches and milk—are distributed on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The distributions take place at both District 88 schools—Willowbrook High School and Addison Trail High School. The food distributions at Willowbrook take place near Door 6—the entrance by the main gymnasium. Because of the Thanksgiving holiday, meals were not provided on Wednesday, Nov. 25. On Wednesday, Nov. 18, families had the option to request 14 days’ worth of free meals per child. The photo from the Nov. 18 distribution at Willowbrook shows (left to right) Maria Dalesio and Sue Raya, who both work in the Willowbrook kitchen for Chartwells—District 88’s food-service provider. According to Sarah Warren—Chartwells’ food-service director at District 88—more than 15,500 meals were distributed at the district’s two schools on Nov. 18. Nearly 8,200 of those meals were handed out at Willowbrook. The meals provide food to students while the district’s school buildings are closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.