Enchanted Backpack donates over $40,000 in supplies to Lincoln Elementary | Education

EAST CHICAGO — Hundreds of Lincoln Elementary students waited outside Wednesday morning in 20-degree weather to greet and greet representatives from Enchanted Backpack, which is donating more than $40,000 in supplies to the school.

The students held up signs saying “thank you for your service” and cheered, saying they love their city and thanking Enchanted Backpack. In the hallways, students stood along their lockers clapping and clapping as they saw objects arrive.

Large bags and boxes filled with items have been deployed from the two Enchanted Backpack vans in Lincoln Elementary. The supplies were selected by Enchanted Backpack and were meant to be a surprise. Several volunteers helped bring items to the school, moving quickly and unloading the vans in less than 20 minutes.

As of 2017, Enchanted Backpack works every year to deliver supplies to schools. Requests for assistance are reviewed on an ongoing basis based on time, availability and need. An eligible elementary or middle school must have at least 50% of its students eligible for free or reduced-price lunches.

Lincoln Elementary School was one of 50 schools selected to receive the donation this year. Schools can request to receive materials by filling out a form.

Supplies donated to Lincoln Elementary ranged from typical school supplies to hats and gloves, board games, toiletries and more.

East Chicago School Board member Jesse Gomez was there to greet the delivery. He said the school town was lucky to receive the donation and noted that East Chicago soon had another school receiving supplies: Washington Elementary.

This isn’t the first time Enchanted Backpack has visited the area. Joe Froelich, assistant director of logistics, said he visited a school in Merrillville last week.

Also, Enchanted Backpack visited Scott College in 2020, which is located in the school town of Hammond. Scott was the first school in Indiana to receive supplies.

Froelich said there weren’t always students greeting them outside, especially with this weather. He said it was a really special moment and he enjoyed the production.

“We are incredibly lucky to receive this donation because only 50 schools are selected each year,” Sylvia Alvarez, district parent coordinator for the East Chicago School City, said in an email.