Nonprofit group donates backpacks to District U-46

Submitted by U-46

Elgin Area School District U-46 accepted more than 250 backpacks filled with supplies donated by Backpacks 4 Class, a nonprofit organization working with schools in the Chicago area and suburbs to give students a successful school year.

U-46 plans to distribute the supplies to students based on need through the district’s Project Access Homeless Education Program.

“U-46 is grateful to have so many wonderful community partners like Backpacks 4 Class to serve our most vulnerable students,” said Superintendent Dr. José M. Torres. “This generous donation will provide a little extra support for U-46 families struggling to make ends meet.”

Backpacks 4 Class was founded by Fernando Vega of Caduceus Management Solutions, Franco Valentino of Guaranteed Rate, John Guido Jr. of Arlington Heights Ford, and Margaret Kedziora of U.S. Silica Corporation.

The co-founders began collecting backpacks as a good deed, but their efforts soon turned into a solid nonprofit organization committed to helping students excel in the classroom.

Supplies are collected at drop boxes at various locations in the community with the help of local businesses and individual volunteers. Principals and teachers can request backpacks and supplies through the website www.backpacks4class.org, or contact Fernando Vega directly at info@backpacks4class.org.

“With the help and support from business leaders in the community, we have helped thousands of students start the school year off right,” said Fernando Vega. “We don’t want any child to begin the school year at a disadvantage because their families can’t afford the basic supplies needed to help them excel academically.

“Next year, our goal is to provide over 1,500 backpacks filled with school supplies to School District U-46. So we can use all the help we can get.”