Naperville Park District's Pennies for Pies drive returns for its 16th year

Naperville Park District invites donations to the 16th annual Pennies for Pies drive from Nov. 1-18.

Pennies for Pies is an initiative begun in 2006 by the park district's preschool classrooms with the goal of encouraging donations of any amount - including pocket change - to help fund the purchase of pumpkin pies to benefit residents in need through Loaves & Fishes Community Services.

Beginning Nov. 1, donations may be made in person at select park district facilities or online at www.napervilleparks.org by clicking on "online registration" and then "donations."

Donations may be dropped off in person at the following locations:

• Fort Hill Activity Center, 20 Fort Hill Drive, open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, and 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday;

• Alfred Rubin Riverwalk Community Center, 305 W. Jackson Ave., open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays;

• Knoch Knolls Nature Center, 320 Knoch Knolls Road, open from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday;

• Springbrook Golf Course, 2220 W. 83rd. St., with the golf shop open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily;

• Naperbrook Golf Course, 22204 W. 111th St. in Plainfield, with the golf shop open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.

The park district preschool classrooms also will be collecting donations for pies.

The idea for the drive came from the preschools to help teach children that small donations can add up to provide something larger.

In 2021, community donations provided 120 pies plus a generous donation to Loaves & Fishes to support their holiday food initiatives.

The pies purchased from donations this year will be delivered to Loaves & Fishes to help make Thanksgiving dinner more enjoyable and memorable for families in need in our community.