After undergoing multiple surgeries, high school sophomore Will O’Toole decided to turn his recovery into something bigger than himself. What began as a personal challenge became an inspiring act of service. O’Toole fundraised $11,000 for Marquette University’s Backpack Program, which provides food and basic necessities to students in need.
“After my second injury and another summer lost to recovery, I wanted to put my energy into something good,” the Nicolet High School student says. “Walking really helped me feel better through recovery. It was a great form of exercise to keep my spirits up.”
When he began exploring causes to support, O’Toole says he was struck by how many college students face food insecurity. “I didn’t realize how many students face food insecurity today,” he says. “It felt good to know that the Backpack Program makes an immediate impact for others.”
Christine Little, director of Iggy’s Market, says gifts like O’Toole’s make an enormous difference in the program’s ability to serve students facing food insecurity.
“The Backpack Program is almost completely funded through donations like this,” Little says. “We’ve seen a steady increase in the number of students using the pantry and have struggled to keep it fully stocked through Feeding America alone. This donation directly supports us by allowing us to purchase extra produce and dietary-restricted items like gluten-free and vegetarian so we can keep the shelves stocked.”
Over the past two years, the program has averaged around 100 individuals each month. However, recently it saw as many as 163.
“This donation will help support operations as we continue to see an increased need among students on campus,” Little says.
For O’Toole, realizing the scope of what he accomplished was very rewarding. “It was a proud moment,” he says. “It’s been a tough year, and I’m so glad that we could turn this into good for others. I am very grateful to family and friends for supporting this effort.”
Beyond keeping shelves filled, Little says gifts like these allow flexibility for the program. “It gives us a lot of breathing room to continue to provide fresh produce and dietary restricted items like gluten-free and vegan, and to purchase hygiene and cleaning items which we also provide on a limited basis,” she says. “I think it also shows our students that the university does care about their well-being and takes the Jesuit value of cura personalis seriously.”
Little adds that O’Toole’s example carries a particular meaning. “Having a sophomore in high school, who is dealing with multiple surgeries, say, ‘I want to turn my frustration and pain into something that helps people’ is truly beautiful,” she says. “And for a population like college students, where food insecurity is only being acknowledged more recently, it’s really remarkable and shows such compassion.”
The donation will go toward keeping the pantry stocked with items ranging from dietary restricted foods to personal products like laundry detergent and menstrual supplies.
“We can’t do this alone,” Little says. “We are so grateful to our donors, like Will, who have been so incredibly supportive. Our alumni and University Advancement really help continue to make this program possible.”
O’Toole says the experience deepened his empathy and strengthened his desire to help others.
“My empathy for others increased through my multiple injuries and recoveries this past year,” he says. “Learning about the different areas I could support really helped me understand the importance of giving back.”
