Boeing grant helps Rolling Meadows school expand food program

Kimball Hill School in Rolling Meadows recently received a $5,000 grant from the Boeing Company Employees Community Fund of Chicago to fund the expansion of its Blessings in a Backpack program, doubling the number of students it will serve.

The Palatine Township Elementary District 15 program provides nearly 300 students in need at three schools with enough groceries to feed themselves each weekend.

A group of volunteers started the program at Kimball Hill School last winter. Supported by the school's Kids Hope mentors and a number of volunteers from Community Church of Rolling Meadows, the effort kicked off by sending groceries home with about 50 students each Friday afternoon. The Boeing grant will expand the number of students served to about 100.

"And we could go even higher because the need is there," Kimball Hill Principal Tracey Wrobel said in a news release.