St. Francis collects backpacks, school supplies for needy kids

The St. Francis de Sales Parish community recently wrapped up its 5th Annual Back-to-School Program, which benefits students in need throughout the Chicago area. The program ran from July 23 to Aug. 7.

The Back-to-School Program is focused on providing necessary resources and tools for success to children in need.

Back-to-School tags featuring lists of school supplies were available in the Gathering Space of St. Francis de Sales Church at weekend Masses at the end of July.

Parishioners were asked to choose a tag and return a new backpack filled with those school supplies listed. This year, more than 480 new backpacks full of supplies were collected.

“I am amazed and delighted at the kindness and generosity of the parishioners at St. Francis de Sales Church,” said parishioner Diane Larrabee, who organizes the annual Back-to-School Program.

“They truly reflect the love of Christ in how they serve and care for needy children in our midst. What at a blessing they are to the community and to the children.”

Backpacks are distributed to various organizations, including Catholic Charities, the Boys' and Girls' Club of Lake County, Our Lady of Tepeyac Parish and the St. Vincent de Paul Society. These organizations then distribute the backpacks to those most in need.

The Back-to-School Program, now in its fifth year, began in 2007. Since its inception, more than 1,700 backpacks have been collected and distributed to underprivileged children.

Organized as a parish in 1949 by the Archdiocese of Chicago, St. Francis de Sales Catholic Parish encompasses the communities of Lake Zurich, Deer Park, Hawthorn Woods, North Barrington, Kildeer and Long Grove.