The annual back-to-school supply fair will return Saturday to Elgin Community College.
Project Backpack: Back-to-School Fair will be held 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (or until supplies last) on Saturday, in Building J: Events Center at Elgin Community College 1700 Spartan Dr., Elgin, according to a news release from U46.
District U46 teachers, administrators and staff members donated more than 50 backpacks filled with school supplies, to help students in need as they prepare for the school year.
At the annual event, families will also visit various agency booths, such as after-school programs and resources for family health and wellness, to learn more about different social services available to them.
“Thanks to the community and corporate donation, more than 10,000 backpacks have been distributed since 2010,” said Karla Jiménez, U46 Coordinator of Family & Community Engagement in a news release. “The District’s goal this summer was to fill 50 backpacks and exceeding that number truly speaks volumes as to what one community can do to better prepare our students with tools to start a successful school year.”
The district office sponsored a school supply drive from Monday, July 11 to Thursday, July 14 to benefit Project Backpack, the news release said. The U46 staff collected more than 58 gender-neutral backpacks filled with: 6 folders, 4 spiral notebooks, 1 pack of loose leaf paper, 1 package of pencils, 2 black pens, 1 pair of scissors, 2 glue sticks, 1 ruler and 1 pack of crayons.
Back to school supplies will be distributed at Elgin Community College on a first-come, first served basis with a limit of one backpack per student. Recipients of supplies must provide proof of residency or school enrollment within the college’s boundaries.
To make a donation to the seventh annual Project Backpack, visit www.project-backpack.org.