The Pathfinders set an ambitious outreach goal: reach 1,000 homes in the Hinsdale community. With care and intentionality, they filled each bag with instructions for the can collection and included invitations to two upcoming church events.
On November 1, 2025, the Hinsdale “Trailblazers” Pathfinder Club once again demonstrated what it means to serve Christ through action, completing their annual community can collection project—now a tradition for more than four decades. With prayerful preparation, willing hands, and the support of generous neighbors, the youth gathered 6,000 pounds of food to help feed individuals and families facing food insecurity.
In the weeks leading up to the event, club members collected brown paper shopping bags from church families, friends, and supporters. A special blessing came through Kramer Foods, a beloved family-owned grocery store in Hinsdale, which donated a portion of the bags needed for the project.
The Pathfinders set an ambitious outreach goal: reach 1,000 homes in the Hinsdale community. With care and intentionality, they filled each bag with instructions for the can collection and included invitations to two upcoming church events: the Pathfinder International Food Fair held at Hinsdale Adventist Academy on November 8th, and the December 6th Handel’s Messiah concert, “A Hinsdale Hallelujah,” hosted at the Hinsdale Seventh-day Adventist Church.
In a single doorstep visit, these young people offered their neighbors the chance to join in a meaningful act of compassion while also extending invitations to fellowship with their church family. “Evangelism comes in all different forms and from people of all ages,” leaders shared. “Sometimes it looks like a sermon—but sometimes it looks like a child placing a bag on a neighbor’s doorstep.”
The results were extraordinary. The Hinsdale community responded with overwhelming generosity, donating 6,000 pounds of food, which translates into approximately 5,000 meals (using USDA guidelines of 1.2 pounds per meal). The impact was immediate:
• The Hinsdale Food Pantry received the majority of the donation.
• Additional food supported a Chicago Public School food bank serving students and families.
• The remainder used to help keep the micro pantry located outside the Hinsdale Seventh-day Adventist Church, available 24/7 for anyone in need.
This longstanding outreach, now more than 40 years strong, reflects the Pathfinder Club’s commitment to living out Christ’s call to serve “the least of these.” What began decades ago with a small group of youth has grown into a powerful expression of community compassion and faithful service. As the Hinsdale Trailblazers celebrate another successful year, their message is simple and deeply rooted in Scripture: when young people serve with willing hearts, God multiplies their efforts.
Angie Grozdic is communicator director for Hinsdale Seventh-day Adventist Church.
