U-46 gives back to communities

Wayne Elementary School students Domenica Frisone, left, Izabela Beth, middle, and Ellie Klein, right, pack meals for clients of Aurora-based Feed My Starving Children. (Courtesy of Jamie Reyes)

Wayne Elementary School students pack meals for families served by Aurora-based Feed My Starving Children. (Courtesy of Jamie Reyes)

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By Madhu Krishnamurthy (mkrishnamurthy@dailyherald.com)

Elgin Area School District U-46 students and staff are ringing in the holidays packing meals and collecting toys, winter clothing and canned goods for needy families within the district.

Some schools recently participated in the Change for Hunger campaign sponsored by Northern Illinois Food Bank, raising more than $3,500. Several schools will continue to host food, clothing and toy drives until school closes for winter break.

Earlier this week, 45 Wayne Elementary School sixth-graders and 12 parents packed meals for clients served by Feed My Starving Children in Aurora.

Students bagged a scoopful each of vitamins, flavoring, vegetables, soy protein, and rice into each meal package

“The kids got really competitive because they wanted to see who could pack the most boxes,” said Jaime Reyes, sixth-grade teacher. “They were really excited. At the end, they were happy with what they did and they were tired. We go on some fun field trips. This was a good one to show how you can give back and make it a little more impactful.”

Heritage Elementary School in Streamwood will be providing new shoes for 60 students at 1 p.m. Wednesday through the nonprofit Shoes That Fit.

About 70 percent of the school’s students come from low-income families, Principal Catherine Fletcher said.

“We measure students’ feet and provide them with a new pair of shoes before winter break,” she said.

Through the school’s partnership with Shoes That Fit, 240 students have received new gym shoes.

Each week, 20 Heritage families receive backpacks filled with nutritious food through a partnership with the Northern Illinois Food Bank. Also, Streamwood Mayor Billy Roth has provided two dozen coats, gloves, hats and uniforms for children at the school.

“We’re constantly looking for ways to support our families, students and community where there is a need and trying to fill that in anyway that we can,” Fletcher said.

Last year, U-46 and its schools collectively raised and collected more than $8,000, nearly 3,000 gifts and more than 100 boxes of canned goods.

Here are some of the holiday-related charity events throughout this month:

• Mobile food pantry collection for the Northern Illinois Food Bank, 2:30 to 4 p.m. Friday at Illinois Park Center for Early Learning, 1350 Wing St., Elgin.

• Change for Hunger campaign for Food for Greater Elgin through Friday at Coleman Elementary School, 1220 Dundee Ave., Elgin.

• Food drive for Hanover Township Food Pantry through Friday at Glenbrook Elementary School, 315 Garden Circle, Streamwood.

• Canned food drive for Salvation Army and Community Crisis Center through Friday at Harriet Gifford Elementary School, 240 S. Clifton Ave., Elgin.

• Families join students for lunch donations of pet food, cleaning supplies, animal toys are collected for families in need 10:40 a.m. to 1:05 p.m. Thursday and Monday at Nature Ridge Elementary School, 1899 Westridge Blvd., Bartlett.

• Bartlett Lions Club provides holiday meals Monday at Prairieview Elementary School, 285 Mayflower Lane, Bartlett.

• Coat, hat, gloves and scarf drive for Salvation Army through Friday and Change for Hunger campaign for Food for Greater Elgin through Wednesday at Abbott Middle School, 949 Van St., Elgin.

• Collecting toiletry items for Crisis Center of Elgin through Wednesday Kimball Middle School, 451 N. McLean Blvd., Elgin.

• Canned food drive through Jan. 13 at Bartlett High School, 701 W. Schick Rd., Bartlett.

• Canned food drive 9 to 10 a.m. Friday at the DREAM Academy, 46 S. Gifford St., Elgin.