Teens Find Purpose Volunteering at Illinois Food Pantry

When Peyton Szydlowski wakes up early on Saturday mornings to volunteer at West Suburban Community Pantry, she sees something that makes it all worthwhile: the grateful faces of neighbors receiving food.

The incoming senior at Downers Grove North High School just became president of the Pantry's Junior Board. She's been volunteering since third grade, when she joined the Kids Make a Difference program that lets children and adults serve together.

"People go through different things, and I've learned that when someone is in a struggle, there are people who can help," Peyton said. Her mom Nicole, who serves on the Pantry's board of directors, taught her the value of hands-on impact.

Liam Brennan from St. Ignatius College Prep chose the Pantry for his senior project because he wanted variety in his volunteer work. He got it and then some.

On his first day, he learned to operate a pallet jack. By week two, he helped unload an entire 18-wheeler carrying 15,000 pounds of produce in just one hour.

"It blew me away to think about how many people that would help," Liam said. "You can really see the difference you're making in a direct way."

The interactions with neighbors picking up food moved him most. Liam chatted with a little girl about her toy light saber, sharing that he'd had one too. Those small moments set the tone for his entire experience.

Twin brothers Tai and Tien Nghien took a different approach. The Naperville Central High School seniors started by offering English lessons to Spanish-speaking students, then noticed another gap.

They developed STEM curriculum and hands-on experiments for kids aged 6 to 12. Recently, students created Rube Goldberg contraptions to perform simple tasks, learning science through play and collaboration.

The Ripple Effect

Tai's work earned him a 2026 Princeton Prize in Race Relations for creating positive change in his community. But he credits the Pantry for taking young volunteers seriously as partners.

"Through word-of-mouth the program grew, and we began to see students taking ownership in mentoring their peers," Tai said. The experience changed how he approaches challenges in all areas of his life.

West Suburban Community Pantry has served DuPage and Will counties for over 30 years, providing in-person shopping, online ordering, and home delivery to seniors. The organization also connects families to financial assistance and free workshops.

Even after finishing his required service hours, Liam keeps coming back on Saturdays because he learned something powerful: wherever he goes, people will need help, and he can make a difference.