Back to School can be an exciting, exhilarating time of year. But for economically vulnerable families, mounting costs of classroom supplies become just another barrier to overcome as parents try to equip their children with the tools for academic success.  

This hardship has been alleviated for nearly 1,800 children this year as Catholic Charities and its partners in Chicago and suburbs joined together to purchase backpacks, fill each backpack with essential supplies, and then hold distribution events where grateful children received these wonderful donations. 

This cooperative effort was coordinated by Catholic Charities Regional Mission Engagement Directors and Regional Operations Directors, along with generous parish and community partners, illustrating that the need for assistance is increasing in neighborhoods across Cook and Lake counties. In addition, this project shows that when Catholic Charities regional hubs lead efforts to address those needs, a significant impact can be made. 

In 2022, Sally Blount, Catholic Charities President and CEO announced a new vision for the organization, sharing realities of our post-pandemic world that require Catholic Charities to expand its local work. By “Revitalizing Our Call to Serve,” Catholic Charities continues to deliver help to those who need it in quick, and effective ways, inspiring stories that continue to emerge as this concept is put into action.  

As Tenisha Jones, Vice-President of Catholic Charities Government and Community Engagement explains, “The 2023 Backpack Project is a great example of what is possible when our regional hubs collaborate with parish ministries and external partners, all of us working together on behalf of the people we serve.” 

Leo Catholic High School in Chicago contributed to this effort in a substantial way by donating 1,000 backpacks to the project. St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Orland Park added more than 400 backpacks, for children aged pre-school through 12^th Grade. Catholic Charities Regional Mission Board for the West Suburban Cook Region donated close to 300 backpacks. Many other individual and group donors also participated by donating the funds used to purchase toiletries, notebooks, and writing tools that were put inside the backpacks before children received them. 

Distribution events have been coordinated in a variety of locations across our South, Southwest, and West Suburban Cook regions, and in the City of Chicago, through Catholic Charities Regional Offices and in conjunction with events planned by community and parish partners such as the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

Sharon McCaffrey, a project coordinator at St. Francis of Assisi of Assisi Parish says, “I first got involved with Catholic Charities though this ministry in our parish. I started by helping at some of the suppers…When (another volunteer named) Paula retired from the Backpack Project, I thought, ‘This is an opportunity for me to step up… God has been good to me. I want to give back.’ “  

Leo Catholic High School Principal Shaka Rawls is delighted to see the school’s partnership with Catholic Charities increasing through projects like this. He says, “Leo has seen itself as a beacon of hope in the community for more than 96 years. Catholic Charities has a storied legacy. They are often seen as a stalwart in the community. This is just the beginning of our little school, working with Catholic Charities to help the entire city.” 

One of the distribution events was held at Lincoln Elementary School, School District 156 in Calumet City. Principal Natalie Bako expressed her thanks for the donated backpacks, saying, “On behalf of the Lincoln Tiger Family, we are extremely grateful for the backpacks. We appreciate the continued blessings that Catholic Charities provides. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.”

It is an exciting time at Catholic Charities as we continue to accompany people in need, and complete special projects like this. Tenisha adds, “There has been so much goodwill generated from the Backpack Project this year. What we did, with our partners, was provide resources to children in need so they are ready to learn! Together we are striving to fulfill needs now and improve lives for the future.” 

To learn more about joining in the work of Catholic Charities, please visit catholiccharities.net and/or send an email to partners@catholiccharities.net.