By WMBD TV
PONTIAC, Ill. (WMBD) — The food is medicine project was started by two seniors at Pontiac Township High School, Peyton Beebe and Nolan Mennenga.
The idea is to take locally sourced nutrient-rich foods and deliver them to local hospitals to hopefully help with their recovery time.
The students partnered with Spence Farms to get the food, which they used their school culinary class to turn into two soups. A chicken and rice soup and a bean and ham soup.
“Everyone has loved ones or family members who get ill or sick from time to time, especially when they get older,” said Beebe. “When you have those people ask, was when they’re trying to recover fast, and then you just want them to have the best food possible and have them be able to feel comfortable with what they’re eating.”
The project was done in Paul Ritter’s Heartland Community College Dual Credit environmental earth science class. Ritter supported them and their project the entire way.
“These kids are an inspiration,” said Ritter. “They’re the torchbearers now for their future. And they’re willing to stand up for what they believe in. I often say I’m their chief cheerleader. I get to do this.”
Peyton and Nolan didn’t do it alone. All the students in the class helped with each other’s projects in one way or another. They believe the project will have a positive impact for years to come.
“I believe it’s a positive impact as it can grow to other communities and people can get inspired by what we’re doing and create their own,” said Addison Harms, one of their classmates.
Along the way, they learned some valuable life lessons they will carry with them for the rest of their life.
“Basically, just that all it takes is the first step, and if you’re stuck, just ask. Ask for help. It takes a village, not just one person or two people. And anybody can do anything,” said Beebe.
WMBD TV first reported on this story. You can read the original story online at CIProud.com.
