North Park Elementary School

At North Park Elementary School (NPES), students are not only learning in the classroom but also making a difference in their community. This year, NPES 2nd graders achieved two incredible milestones - winning the school-wide Penny Wars competition and leading the Share the Love Food Drive, both benefiting Common Pantry.

The NPES Student Council hosted Penny Wars, a friendly yet fierce fundraising challenge among all grades. After weeks of collecting spare change, 2nd grade emerged as champions, raising the most money and earning a well-deserved pizza party to celebrate their victory. But the real win? They selected Common Pantry as their beneficiary, and thanks to the generosity of all NPES students, $1,710.74 was raised - enough to provide 5,100 meals to neighbors in need. Special thanks to NPES Community Partner, Albany Bank for donating the use of their change counter, making the tallying process seamless.

Beyond Penny Wars, NPES students took their service efforts further with the Share the Love Food Drive throughout January. Led by the 2nd grade class, students across all grades collected 190 pounds of non-perishable food to stock the NPES Portable Pantry and support Common Pantry’s mission. The 2nd graders then had the rewarding experience of personally delivering both the check and food donations, witnessing firsthand the impact of their generosity.

These initiatives showcase NPES’s deep commitment to community service, leadership, and compassion.

About NPES:

North Park Elementary School (NPES) is a vibrant, independent school in the heart of Chicago’s North Center neighborhood, dedicated to fostering academic excellence, creativity, and a strong sense of community. With a focus on hands-on learning, critical thinking, and character development, NPES nurtures curious, confident, and compassionate students who are prepared to make a difference in the world.  Learn More About NPES