2022 - ECC’s Project Backpack helps local students in need

Elgin Community College and its partners are preparing for Project Backpack, a community-based initiative to benefit area students in need. The committee is coordinating backpacks, school supplies, and/or resources for students in need for fall 2022 from school districts U-46, CUSD 300, CSD 301, CUSD 303, D20, or ECC District 509.

“The Project Backpack Committee is grateful for the collaboration with local high school districts to distribute supplies directly to families again this year,” said Megan Highland, ECC student life coordinator and Project Backpack chair.

For students in School District U-46, some schools will receive backpacks and supplies from Project Backpack, which will be distributed at their discretion. If your U-46 student needs one, please contact your child's school social worker or call 847-888-5000 ext. 4211 or ext. 6768. For other qualifying K-12 districts, parents are asked to reach out to their child's social worker for information on backpack availability and distribution. Proof of fall enrollment and a photo ID may be required.

If you are an ECC student, backpacks will be available while supplies last, starting August 1, 2022, in the ECC Spartan Pantry on campus in Building B, room B175, between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Hours may vary once the semester begins on August 22. Proof of fall enrollment and a photo ID are required.

Project Backpack will only accept monetary donations again this year to help purchase backpacks and supplies. To make a donation or to learn about sponsorship opportunities, visit project-backback.org. 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.

The Project Backpack Committee includes individuals from Elgin Community College, ECC Faculty Association, Community Crisis Center, ECCP3, Healthcare Plus Elgin, Kane County Regional Office of Education, Kane County Teachers Credit Union, and School District U-46. Local agencies wishing to share their services and programs with families are invited to participate by providing a resource handout that can be inserted into backpacks. For more guidelines and to sign up as an agency participant, please visit project-backpack.org.

More than 20,200 students from preschool to college have been served since 2010.

For the most up-to-date information on Project Backpack, follow on Facebook and visit project-backpack.org.