As prices soar, ShareFest Will County offers holiday cheer and support
LOCKPORT, Ill. - With grocery prices skyrocketing — eggs up 37% nationwide, beef on the rise, and orange juice squeezing wallets — ShareFest Will County is stepping in to help neighbors in need.
For 18 years, ShareFest has provided food, clothing, books, and home goods to the community. This year, their massive Christmas operation found a home at Lockport Township High School's East Campus.
"We have everything from Christmas presents to clothing for people who come and visit. That's all donated. And then here in the parking lot, people can line up and you have a variety of different food stuffs that they can pick up. Really just fill their cars at holiday time with, you know, basic food supplies that they really need. So it's two different sides of the operation," said Superintendent of Lockport Township High School Robert McBride.
On Sunday, families from Joliet, Lockport, Homer Glen, Crest Hill, and surrounding suburbs arrived in search of support.
"We have close to 42,000 pounds of food today. Inside the school, we have toys, we have brand-new clothes, we have home items that can be a variety of things and home items from blenders to toasters to whatever and inside the school, there's another 20,000 pounds of food," said Executive Director of ShareFest Gary Cheney.
Lockport students played a key role, loading trunks for waiting families and packing food boxes for distribution.
"Every student here, Lockport Township High School, has to complete 40 hours of community service before they graduate. So that is a graduation requirement," McBride said.
With fully-stocked toy shelves just in time for Christmas, ShareFest aimed to bless 2,500 people with vital resources.
"They're doing a great community service. The students, you know, they willingly just come here and work hard. Whether it's, you know, today a beautiful day for them to be out here. But you know, they're here when it's cold. They have a big heart," said Imelda.
ShareFest is more than a charity — it’s a community movement spreading the spirit of giving.
To learn more about other events and volunteer opportunities with ShareFest, follow this link.