Christmas in the Wards 365 Hosts Major Back-to-School Celebration at Malcolm X College


Christmas in the Wards 365 Hosts Major Back-to-School Celebration at Malcolm X College

Open-to-the-Public Event to Provide School Supplies, Clothing, and Food Essentials

On Friday, August 21, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Christmas in the Wards 365 (CITW), in partnership with City Colleges of Chicago, In His Hands Resource Center, S2 Grills, Black Men United, Buddy Bear Car Wash and participating local aldermen, will host a large-scale Back-to-School Celebration and Giveaway at Malcolm X College, 1900 West Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL. Cook County Board President, Toni Preckwinkle, will be on hand to greet parents and students to kick off the NEW SCHOOL SEASON!!!!


The event is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC and designed to help students and families prepare for the upcoming school year with essential educational resources, clothing, food support, and community services.

Thousands of dollars in school readiness supplies will be distributed, including:

Backpacks and book bags

School supplies

Clothing and shoes

Food essentials

Household necessities

Personal care items


In addition, nine participating aldermen will each award one brand-new laptop to a lucky student residing in their respective wards, helping bridge the digital divide and promote academic success throughout the school year.


"These giveaways are not charity—they are equity," said Larry Huggins, Founder and CEO of Christmas in the Wards 365. "This is a leg up to get kids back to school prepared and confident. And we will be back in December to bring holiday joy—always with education at the center and nourishment and essentials as the foundation."

 

Attendees will enjoy a festive afternoon featuring community engagement, family-friendly activities, and resource distribution from local organizations dedicated to supporting Chicago families. In His Hands Resource Center will distribute clothing, shoes, apparel and home essentials including light bulbs and energy efficient products. Black Men United will provide clothing and household essentials, Buddy Bear Car Wash will distribution school supplies, while S2 Grills will offer food and refreshments for families attending the event.

 

Participating South Side wards include:

24th Ward Alderman, Monique Scott

27th Ward Alderman, Walter Burnett, Jr.

28th Ward Alderman, Jason Ervin

29th Ward Alderman, Chris Taliaferro

37th Ward Alderman, Emma Mitts

Each participating ward will sponsor one laptop giveaway for an eligible student resident.

 

Beyond the Holidays: A Year-Round Commitment

Since its founding in 1997, Christmas in the Wards 365 has evolved from a holiday initiative into a year-round movement dedicated to addressing the needs of underserved communities throughout Chicago.

The organization provides educational resources, food assistance, clothing, technology access, and household necessities to families across Chicago and surrounding communities. Through strong partnerships with civic leaders, businesses, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations, CITW continues to expand its impact across the region.


"This is about community resilience," Huggins said. "We started in Englewood with just a handful of families. Today, we are serving thousands because of the commitment from our partners and the belief that every child deserves a strong start."

 

About Christmas in the Wards 365 (CITW)

 

Mission: Christmas in the Wards 365 is a year-round nonprofit organization committed to uplifting underserved communities throughout Chicago's wards by providing educational resources, essential goods, community support, and opportunities that strengthen families and neighborhoods.

 

Vision: To transform seasonal acts of generosity into a year-round movement of empowerment, creating stronger communities one family, one neighborhood, and one ward at a time.


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