Hosanna! Lutheran's annual school supplies giveaway a big hit

Daisy Perez left her Elgin home well before the sun rose Friday morning so that she could secure school supplies for her six children.

Arriving at 4 a.m. at Hosanna! Lutheran Church in St. Charles for the annual school supplies and backpack giveaway, Perez was first in line.

"It's a big help, and I am so thankful for this," said Perez, who was with her daughter Mercedes, 11, and son, Rogelio, 12.

As her family moved from station to station in the church with their arms full of new supplies, Perez says that without this program she would not be able to provide school supplies for her children.

John Rohleder, an event coordinator, said volunteers have spent the entire week packing backpacks full of supplies to hand out to kids in need from kindergarten to 12th grade.

On average, Hosanna serves 1,000 children each year, Rohleder said.