500 homeless students getting free school supplies

About 500 homeless elementary and middle school students in Elgin Area School District U-46 will be receiving backpacks stuffed with school supplies.

The Dayton, Ohio-based nonprofit center heard about the number of homeless students in the district, which has increased steadily in the past three years.

According to a news release, the foundation worked with several companies - Rubbermaid, OfficeMax and Sanford - to help fill the backpacks for students.

The district announced the donation during a news conference Thursday morning at Villa Olivia Country Club.