Generous donations allow Willow Creek Church to expand Back to School event

Posted July 30, 2025 2:58 pm

Submitted by Willow Creek Care Center

Students from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade could pick out free backpacks and school supplies at the annual Back to School Bash at the Willow Creek Care Center in South Barrington. Courtesy of Willow Creek

For the Back to School Drive this year, the congregation of Willow Creek Community Church exceeded the goal of collecting 3,000 backpacks, bringing in 4,409. The donations collected over July 13-20 exceeded the amount needed to serve all of the students who registered for the Back to School Bash as well as those on the waitlist.

“When we shared the need for backpacks with our church, they responded and brought so many backpacks that we were able to add an additional day to this event and serve 700 kids on the waitlist,” Willow Care Center Director Carrie Schumacher said.

According to Schumacher, the average American family spends $875 sending their kids back to school (clothing, shoes, school supplies). “For families facing financial insecurity, it places a disproportionate burden on them,” Schumacher said. “We want to alleviate some of that stress and provide a joy filled, hope infusing experience for them to attend.”

Willow Creek Church collected over 4,000 backpacks to give to students in need, allowing them to add an extra day to their annual Back to School event. These generous donations enabled them to serve 700 additional children. Courtesy of Willow Creek

The annual event was held on Thursday and Friday, July 24-25, at the Willow Creek Care Center in South Barrington. Due to the outpouring of donations, they also added a “Back to School (Mini) Bash” on Saturday morning.

School aged-children from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade could chose a new backpack for free, fill it with school supplies, shop for clothing, receive a free haircut, enjoy treats, and more.

At the Back to School Bash, the church saw 4,100 people come through the doors over three days and gave away 2,343 backpacks.

“We do this event because we believe to our core that every student, regardless of their circumstances, deserves the dignity of walking into their schools not only with the tools required, but with the confidence to start a new school year well,” Schumacher said.

Kids attending the annual Back to School Bash at the Willow Creek Care Center in South Barrington could also get free haircuts. Courtesy of Willow Creek

If someone is in need of a backpack, they can pick one up during open hours at the Care Center at 67 Algonquin Road, Entrance G. The center is open 10 a.m. to noon and 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, and 8 to 10 a.m. Saturdays. The center will be closed on Aug. 7 for a Global Leadership Summit, and on Aug. 30 to Sept. 1 for the Labor Day weekend. Visit willowcreekcarecenter.org.

“Willow is an incredibly generous congregation,” Schumacher said. “As a church, we care deeply about issues of compassion and justice and believe that one of the best ways we can demonstrate our love for God is to love our neighbors well.”

Willow Creek Care Center held its annual Back to School Bash on Thursday, July 24 and Friday, July 25 at Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington. Courtesy of Willow Creek

Certified dentists and dental hygienists offered the required grade level exams for children during the Back to School Bash at Willow Creek Care Center in South Barrington. Courtesy of Willow Creek

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