2021 - ECC Project Backpack continues to help local students, despite pandemic protocols

Elgin Community College and its partners are preparing for Project Backpack, a community-based initiative to benefit area students in need. Following COVID-19 protocols, there will not be an on-site event again this year, but the committee is coordinating backpacks, school supplies, and/or resources for students in need for fall 2021 from school districts U-46, CUSD 300, CSD 301, CUSD 303, D 20, or ECC District 509. Approximately 20,000 students from preschool to college have been served since the initiative began in 2010.

Monetary donations are needed to help purchase backpacks and supplies like notebooks, folders, writing utensils, crayons, scissors, and more. Due to current social distancing guidelines, Project Backpack cannot accept supply donations. Monetary donations can be made at project-backback.org, and those interested in sponsoring the project can find information about sponsorships on the site as well. Community members can also donate by check sent to the ECC Foundation, 1700 Spartan Dr., Elgin, IL 60123. Please write “Project Backpack” in the memo line.

In place of the backpack distribution event, supplies will again be distributed to the individual districts for families before the start of the 2021 school year. Families are asked to contact their school district for distribution information.

The Project Backpack Committee includes individuals from Elgin Community College, ECC Faculty Association, Community Crisis Center, ECCP3, Kane County Regional Office of Education, Kane County Teachers Credit Union, School District U-46, and Centro de Información. For the most up-to-date information on Project Backpack, follow the project on Facebook and visit project-backpack.org.