Churches collect backpacks, school supplies for Lake County children

Roughly 35 area churches will supply 5,000 backpacks filled with school supplies to needy Lake County students before school starts this fall.

The backpack collection drive, which ends July 27, is one of five charitable initiatives of ShareFest 2008, organized by Catalyst coalition of churches.

"We did it last year, but it's growing every year," said Bill Yaccino, Catalyst executive director. "Last year, we did about 3,400 backpacks, so this year we are doing about 5,000. We've added 15 or so churches to the mix. "

Church members fill the backpacks with items from approved school supply lists for primary, elementary and junior/senior high students.

About 3,000 backpacks will be distributed to 20 schools in Mundelein, North Chicago, the Round Lake area communities, Waukegan and Zion.

"Those are clearly the communities in Lake County that have the lowest income and children coming from families with the most (financial) needs," said Jackie Larson, ShareFest countywide director.

The United Way of Lake County will hand out the other 2,000 backpacks to children participating in the Lake County Health Department's Kids First Health Fair Aug. 6 in Waukegan.

Anyone interested in purchasing a pre-filled backpack for the effort may do so online at www.catalystweb.org.

As part of ShareFest, Catalyst churches will conduct a countywide food drive beginning the last weekend in September for the Northern Illinois Food Bank. The goal is to collect 100,000 pounds of food for area food pantries.

ShareFest volunteers also will help clean and fix up schools in Round Lake and Waukegan on July 26 for the start of the school year. This fall, area churches will adopt a school for a semester, helping tutor second- and third-graders in reading and mathematics.

And in October, ShareFest volunteers will conduct various community service projects such as cleaning up parks and baseball playgrounds.

"It allows (churches) to see that while we can make a dent individually, together we can make a huge difference," Yaccino said. "It makes a big wave versus a ripple."

Organizers say it takes thousands of volunteers to make ShareFest happen each year.

"It's a lot of time donated," Larson said. "Our whole goal and purpose is to make a difference in the lives of the needy people in Lake County and show them the love of Christ through acts of compassion and service."