Enchanted Backpack donates to CCSD21 schools

Enchanted Backpack, a new charitable organization based in Chicago, recently donated school supplies, books, board games, playground toys, winter clothing, and more to Twain and Whitman Elementary Schools. The retail value of each donation was more than $25,000.

"We are so excited to start serving schools for the 2017-2018 school year," said Hillary Fash, Director of Enchanted Backpack. "It is our hope that the items we are delivering to schools will lessen the burden on teachers and also provide students with the tools they need to learn and excel."

Enchanted Backpack strives to provide core classroom supplies-like pencils, crayons, notebooks and binders-books, and other toys and games to schools or organizations throughout Chicagoland. In order to be considered as a recipient, 50 percent or more of a school's students must be eligible for free or reduced-price lunch.

"It's incredible to see the volume of donations that fit into the Enchanted Backpack delivery vans," said Dr. Kate Hyland, CCSD21 Superintendent. "The generosity of Enchanted Backpack will make an incredible impact on the lives of our students, families, and teachers."

This is the first year that Enchanted Backpack has made such school supply deliveries. Twain and Whitman Elementary Schools are two of just 50 schools to be recipients of donations in this inaugural year.