Families, children invited to annual Project Backpack Aug. 13 at ECC
Elgin Community College and its partners are once again hosting Project Backpack, a community-based initiative to benefit students in need. The event will take place on Saturday, Aug. 13, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Spartan Events Center, Building J, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin.
There are approximately 1,200 students in Elgin Area School District U-46 who are considered low income and live beneath the poverty line. Project Backpack helps relieve the financial burden as school supplies could cost up to $100 per child.
"In the seven years that we have been holding Project Backpack at ECC, we have distributed more than 10,000, which has been an amazing experience," said Amybeth Maurer, director of orientation and student life. "However, the highlight of the event is watching each child carefully select their backpack, put it on, and confidently leave with a huge smile on their face. That is permanently etched on my heart."
Students who provide proof of residency or enrollment in any public Elgin Community College District 509 school, U-46, are eligible to receive supplies. Backpacks are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, and limit one backpack per student. The backpack will include:
• Two pocket folders;
• One subject spiral notebooks;
• Packs of loose leaf/filler paper;
• No. 2 pencils;
• Black pens;
• Scissors;
• Glue sticks;
• Rulers;
• Pack of 24 count crayons.
A range of community agencies and more than 100 volunteers will be available at the event. The Northern Illinois Food Bank has offered its hand in Project Backpack and has provided nonperishable food items to families at the event. Last year, the food bank handed out 7,000 water bottles, apples, and healthy snacks for the people who received the backpacks at the event.
Other community sponsors include: the ECC Faculty Association, Community Crisis Center, Kane County Regional Office of Education, Kane County Teachers Credit Union, Elgin Area School District U-46, and United Way of Elgin.
For more information about ECC's Project Backpack School Supply Fair, visit www.Project-Backpack.org or contact the ECC Student Life Office at (847) 214-7370. For more information in Spanish, call (847) 695-8686.