Volunteers sought for church's annual school supply giveaway

Children starting a new school year without supplies or backpacks? Not if Hosanna! Lutheran Church in St. Charles can help it.

This year marks Hosanna!'s 17th annual School Supply and Clothing Giveaway. The giveaway runs from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14 and from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 15 at Hosanna!, 26W925 Red Gate Road in St. Charles.

This year giveaway organizers have pre-ordered 900 backpacks from a supplier in Florida at the discounted price of $4 each. Using money generated through offerings collected at mass and private donations, organizers were also able to order crayons, paper, pencils and other supplies from Target.

Hosanna plans to hold a packing party on Tuesday to stuff backpacks with school supplies. Using school supply lists gathered from local elementary, middle and high schools, organizers will fill backpacks with supplies appropriate for different grades.

Bethlehem Lutheran, St. Mark's Lutheran and St. John Neumann, all of St. Charles, have joined forces with Hosanna! to provide additional donations and volunteer support.

Hosanna! is still welcoming any additional donations of new and gently used backpacks, pencils, markers, children's clothing, glue sticks and other general school supplies. All donations can be dropped off at Hosanna! and the other participating churches.

"We are a mission church and feel called to go out to help those who are the least, the lost and the last," giveaway director Christy Jackson said.

Last year Hosanna! gave away over 900 backpacks. This year, given the economy, organizers are expecting to serve over 1,000 people.

Hosanna! is still looking for volunteers to help set up at noon on Sunday, Aug. 9 and to sort clothes from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 10 through Aug. 14 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Aug. 10 through Aug. 12. Anyone interested in volunteering to help out before or during the giveaway can call Hosanna! at (630) 584-6434. Spanish speakers are especially needed.

For information, visit hosannachurch.com.