Last year Holy Family Food Pantry distributed over 600 book bags filled with supplies from a District 186 list. An earlier appeal for help brought in enough supplies to fill 350 book bags, but 250 filled book bags are still needed.

For those who can afford to be most generous, an Adopt-A-Child School Supply List includes: book bag, a dozen #2 pencils; one package blue and/or black pens (erasable if possible for grades 4-6); two highlighters; two red pens or pencils; 16-count crayons; school glue and/or sticks; six spiral notebooks (wide ruled), one package wide rule filler paper; six two-pocket folders; one package colored markers (fine point for grades 6-12); one package colored pencils; a ruler; scissors, (round tip for K-2); a box of facial tissues; pencil pouch (plastic box for grades K-2); and a pearl eraser.

No donation is too small. Those unable to “adopt a child,” can consider purchasing some of the most needed supplies, which include book bags, markers, colored pencils, pencil pouches, wide ruled filler paper, two-pocket folders, 16-24 count crayons, erasable pens, red pens, scissors, watercolor paints (for K) and glue sticks. Gently used items, especially scientific calculators for high school students, are accepted.

Donations can be dropped off Monday through Friday during business hours at the Holy Family Food Pantry, 1023 E. Washington St.  in Springfield.

Contact Janet Nelson (217) 523-2450 for more information.