The Barrington Giving Day back to school event returned to Saint Matthew Lutheran Church in Barrington this month, donating school supplies and other back to school essentials to more than 500 children.
On an appointment basis, registered families could choose from clothing, backpacks, school supplies and other items at the Aug. 5 distribution event.
“Today, more than ever, low-income families are struggling to afford necessities,” said Barrington Giving Day Executive Director Dori Hough. “Costs of school supplies, and even backpacks, have increased drastically.”
Barrington Giving Day, both the name of the nonprofit organization and the title of the events it holds, benefits families who qualify for free and reduced meals in Barrington School District 220 or who have been impacted by economic hardships, according to organization officials. BGD has been serving the Barrington community for more than 80 years.
The first day of school is Aug. 21 in the district, which enrolls more than 8,000 students in grades K to 12 across 12 schools. According to state data, about 19% of students enrolled are from low-income families.
The school district includes families from Barrington, Barrington Hills, Carpentersville, Deer Park, Fox River Grove, Hoffman Estates, Inverness, Lake Barrington, North Barrington, Port Barrington, South Barrington and Tower Lakes. ]
This year, the continued impact of inflation is apparent for families needing a bit help with school essentials, said Hough.
“Barrington Giving Day has access to wholesalers and organizations … where we can leverage our buying power,” Hough said. “But families don’t have that same luxury.
“We can alleviate some of their stress and help stretch their money further by providing backpacks, clothing, shoes and other items that help their kids have a great start to their school year.”
Hough thanked the event’s numerous volunteers, including those from Saint Matthew Lutheran Church.
“Our volunteers are the heartbeat of our organization,” she said. “We couldn’t hold this event without their support.”
The Rev. Michael Brown, pastor of Saint Matthew Lutheran Church, was on hand to greet guests and witnessed the “increased need.”
The Back to School event “is seen as a benefit,” and, “a fruitful partnership” with BGD, he said.
Motorists lined up ahead of the the 8 a.m. start of the distribution the Saturday of the giveaway. Volunteer John Semmelhack, of Barrington, helped to direct traffic.
Semmelhack said volunteering is a way to “support our church and help everybody that is in need.”
Greeting recipients as they drove up at check in included Monica Barreiro, a Barrington High School counselor, Michelle Garcia, Barrington High School family school liaison, and Ariana Squires, who is Hough’s daughter and a Barrington High School alum.
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Squires said she has assisted at Barrington Giving Day since middle school.
“It’s just important to be here for these events,” Squires said. “It’s unfortunate that [need is] still such a prominent issue that we have but it is an issue that’s always going to be here. So we’re always going to be here supporting the families.”
Michelle Garcia is also a SD220 alum.
“Since I work in the district and being a product of the district how I like to call myself because I went (to school) here, I like to give back to my community and to our families,” Garcia said.
She said volunteering at the Saturday giveaway provided the opportunity “to get to help our families, just how I was helped when I was in their shoes.”
Monica Barreiro noted that the number of families served at the back to school event “speaks to the times that we’re going through in the world and in the community.”
She said the giving day proves helpful to a number of SD220 families.
The Community Meal of Barrington, which regularly serves free meals and has a schedule at local host houses of worship — and other community locations, served a free breakfast and hot dog lunch during the giving day event.
Sandy Hasse, of Barrington, coordinator for The Community Meal, talked about more than a decade of service with BGD.
“We’ve been here since the start,” Hasse said.
She said the number of families and students who signed up to receive back to school items is a sign of today’s times.
“It tells me that people are struggling,” Hasse said. “This is a rough time for families. Our numbers are going to increase exponentially this year just serving our no-cost meals.”
Zain Raza, 19, of Inverness, also a Barrington High School alum, volunteered as a greeter in the church’s gym where racks of clothing and more were available for registrants to peruse.
“Volunteering at Barrington Giving Day not only helps improve yourself not only as an individual, but by helping out in the community, you’re basically helping this little virtuous cycle where the more good stuff you do, the more others will be able to do more good stuff. … Eventually it just keeps going on and on and on,” said Raza.
Karie Angell Luc is a freelancer.