Niles social service department gives away backpacks and other school supplies at ‘Back to School Bash'

Chicago Tribune

05-08-2025

After making a public call for donations – and amply receiving them – the Niles Family Services Department held a giveaway event Saturday to distribute classroom essentials to families in need as the new school year approaches.
The 'Back to School Bash' was held at Niles Village Plaza, a newly renovated space near Village Hall.
'The big reason we do this is to serve the families that we know that really need it,' said Family Services Director Susanne Malone.
The village department bills itself as a comprehensive social services option 'for residents to get resources and support related to wellness, mental health, recovery, and other needs they may have.'
A backpack drive benefited more than 120 families.
'That number keeps rising,' Malone said, with the intent to provide, 'them (students) with all their school supplies because of generous donors.'
Additional classroom essentials collected through a community-wide drive and distributed Saturday included pens and pencils, notebooks, note cards, crayons and markers, binders, scissors and more.
The bash included food and entertainment – including a performance by a Taylor Swift interpretive artist. Also featured were demonstrations by Max Martial Arts of Niles. Adults and youngsters were also invited to participate in an interactive exercise with the martial artists.
Free haircuts in time for school were also offered. The new school year starts Aug. 12 for students of Niles Township High School District 219. Area elementary and middle schools begin the new academic year in the coming days, as well.
Malone said this year's celebration was the biggest, in part because of the new space offered by Niles Village Plaza.
'It's very exciting that we have the plaza,' Malone said. 'It's all pretty new.
Philanthropy for the event came from faith-based partners' support, as well as other organizations and businesses, bash organizers explained.
'I think what's special about Niles is that they really, really take seriously what their residents need,' Malone said. 'Our mission is to empower families, to make that positive and lasting change, and one way we do that is to connect.
She said the school supply drive and giveaway helps her department to connect.
'It's a win-win,' said Malone.
Many attendees came from beyond Niles. Intergenerational opportunities included extended family accompanying young relatives. One child was brought by her aunts because the youngster's mother had to work. The family members said they didn't want the child to miss out on the community party.
Eddie and Michelle Pacheco, of Niles, brought their children Elissa, 4, Rod, 12, a rising seventh-grader and Jordan, 10, a fifth-grader. Their new school year starts Aug. 19.
'Thank you for helping out the families in Niles and other families in need,' Michelle Pacheco said, referring to Niles Family Services and the back to school giveaway. 'It actually helps them go back to school and not have to worry about the finances.'
Rod and Jordan said they are not excited for school to begin. However, Elissa, who turns 5 this month, is elated to start kindergarten.
Mom Michelle Pacheco has a feeling that the first day of kindergarten will be a bittersweet experience.
'I think we're going to cry,' the mother said.