ECC Project Backpack seeks donations for local students in need

Elgin Community College and its partners are preparing for Project Backpack, a community-based initiative to benefit area students in need.

Donations of school supplies will be accepted through Monday, July 23, at several locations. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 11, in the Building J Spartan Events Center, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin.

Students who provide proof of residency or fall 2018 enrollment in Elgin Area School District U-46, Algonquin-based Community Unit District 300, Central Unit District 301, St. Charles Unit District 303 or Keeneyville Elementary District 20, or at ECC are eligible to receive backpacks.

During the event, backpacks filled with school supplies are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis; limit one backpack per student.

A range of community agencies and services will also be available at the event to help residents in need.

"It's incredibly moving to see the impact this event has on so many families in our community," said Megan Highland, Student Life coordinator and the Project Backpack lead. "Thousands of smiling students have left the event wearing their new backpack full of supplies and excited to start the upcoming school year. Seeing students receive the supplies they need to learn is a wonderful experience, and it's all made possible by the many generous donors and volunteers."

More than 12,500 students have been served since the initiative began in 2010. Over 1,400 backpacks were distributed to families during last year's event.

Donations of the following supplies are needed:

• Gender-neutral backpacks;

• Two-pocket folders;

• One subject spiral notebooks, wide rule;

• Filler paper, 150-200 count, wide rule;

• Standard yellow wood No. 2 pencils, 10 count;

• Black pens;

• Scissors;

• Glue sticks, 0.21 oz.;

• Rulers;

• Crayola crayons, 24 count.

Public donations can be dropped off in the Student Life Office, Room B173 in Building B at Elgin Community College, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. The office is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

Visit www.project-backpack.org for additional public donation collection locations.

Monetary donations are also welcome. Visit www.project-backpack.org/donations.html to make a donation.

Individuals interested in volunteering for a shift during the Wednesday, Aug. 8 or Thursday, Aug. 9 backpack packing days or during the event on Saturday, Aug. 11 can register online at www.project-backpack.org/volunteer_form.html.

Project Backpack is sponsored by Elgin Community College, Elgin Community College Faculty Association, Community Crisis Center of Elgin, ECCP3, Kane County Regional Office of Education, Kane County Teachers Credit Union, Elgin Area School District U-46, and United Way of Elgin.

For more information, visit www.project-backpack.org or contact the ECC Student Life Office at (847) 214-7370.

For information in Spanish, call (847) 888-5000, ext. 4211 (Para información en Español, llame (847) 888-5000, extensión 4211.).