ECC's Project Backpack delivers for students this fall

Project Backpack, a community effort to provide backpacks and supplies for families of Elgin Community College District 509, looked a little different this year.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Elgin Community College was unable to host the event as in years past.

The committee worked to develop an alternative plan for supply delivery to those in need.

For the safety of families and employees, backpacks will be distributed through the local school districts, until supplies last. Proof of fall enrollment and a photo ID may be required.

For students in the Elgin Area School District U-46, some schools have received backpacks and will distribute them at their discretion.

If your school does not contact you to pick up a backpack by Sept. 7 and your U-46 student needs one, 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 school social worker for information on backpack availability and distribution.

"While we could not host our event this year, our community truly rallied around students and their families," said Megan Highland, student life coordinator, and Project Backpack committee chair. "Thanks to donations from business sponsors and individuals, we were able to fill 1,512 backpacks for the 2020-21 school year."

If you are a Fall 2020 ECC student and need a backpack, visit the ECC Spartan Food Pantry on campus in Building B, Room B175, between 10 a.m. and noon on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays starting Tuesday, Aug. 18.

Proof of fall enrollment and a photo ID are required.

The food pantry will also have pre-assembled food package options available for ECC students in need.

The Project Backpack Committee is made up of individuals from Elgin Community College, ECC Faculty Association, Community Crisis Center, ECCP3, Kane County Regional Office of Education, KCT Credit Union, Elgin Area School District U-46, and Centro de Información.

For the most up-to-date information on Project Backpack, like the project at www.facebook.com/ECCProjectBackpack/ and visit project-backpack.org.