Video of Thomas Middle School students in a human chain for a food drive, while having fun along the way and waving at the Channel 7 news helicopter overhead.
About 900 students and 70 staff members of Thomas Middle School lined up for a human chain from the Arlington Heights school to the intersection of Arlington Heights Road and Maude Avenue — directly across from the Wheeling Township Food Pantry in the Wheeling Township building at 1616 North Arlington Heights Road.
The Thomas students made the food drive a fun event, drawing the attention of Channel 7 Chopper HD, the news helicopter for WLS-TV Channel. The students passed cans and boxes of food while chanting and encouraging support with the honking horns of big trucks that passed nearby along Arlington Heights Road.
Food stored at the Wheeling Township food pantry at 1616 North Arlington Heights is given to needy families and individuals throughout Wheeling Township. Wheeling Township, Niles Township and Elk Grove Township also assist each other with food needs if they arise.
No individuals are turned away if they need food, according to Dr. Michael Schroeder, Wheeling Township Supervisor. Schroeder said the event “was awesome” –referring to how it helps keep the pantry stocked.