​ECC Project Backpack continues to help local students

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 at https://www.facebook.com/ECCProjectBackpack/ and visit project-backpack.org.

Contact: Rita Elliott

Senior Director of Communications

Office: 847-214-7682

Email: news@elgin.edu

Elgin Community College (ECC) is a comprehensive public community college, one of 48 statewide. ECC serves approximately 15,000 students each year. Programs of study include 25 major fields for university transfer, more than 130 career-oriented, occupational degrees and certificates, corporate and continuing education, and a full complement of pre-collegiate courses. The three-year graduation rate exceeds the national average and the average of peer colleges.

ECC NEWS MEDIA PROTOCOL

All members of the media should utilize the communications department as the first point of contact. The senior director of communications may be reached at 847-214-7682 or news@elgin.edu. All Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests must be submitted in writing to Marilyn Prentice, compliance officer, at mprentice@elgin.edu or via fax at 847-214-7375. This release is the official news head for Elgin Community College. Any information received on behalf of ECC not on this news head should be disregarded.