Highland Park teen wins Summer of Service grant

HIGHLAND PARK, IllA suburban teenager is making her community healthier, greener and stronger. She's one of hundreds of students nationwide volunteering time to make a positive impact with a grant through Disney's Summer of Service. Namrita Narula (WLS) -- A suburban teenager is making her community healthier, greener and stronger.

She's one of hundreds of students nationwide volunteering time to make a positive impact with a grant through Disney's Summer of Service.

Namrita Narula created a service project called "Seeds of Knowledge" in northwest suburban Highland Park.

The goal is to promote healthy food choices for children.

She built two outdoor gardens. One is used as a teaching tool. The other grows food for the local food pantry. Namrita says the more she learned about poverty in her community, the more inspired she became to take action.

"When i see a problem i want to help solve it. To be honest I didn't know much about gardening Before i started this project but when I started the project my passion for it kind of grew, no pun intended, and I just wanted to do anything that i could that can help," she said.

Namrita has also set up a meters for people to drop spare change. The money is given to homeless shelters.

If you have an idea to better your community, submit your idea for a chance to receive a $500 grant. The deadline is Friday Sept. 30.

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