Barrington Giving Day Blossoms into Community-wide Event

St. Matthew Lutheran Church’s Sue Mullen gestured to an open area behind the church where dozens of tents will be set up for Barrington Giving Day.

What started as an idea to give Barrington Community Unit School District 220 children new shoes and clothing for school has expanded into a community-wide event drawing organizations that will provide assistance, like food and other help.

Mullen listed organization after organization coming to Back to School event, which St. Matthew’s is hosting and helping Barrington Giving Day coordinate the event. Barrington Giving Day has been in existence for more than 60 years and is known for its December Giving Day. This year, it is holding its first Back to School Giving Day.

Community Meal will provide a hot dog lunch for families, she said. Smart Farm, based in Barrington, will offer families fresh produce, she said. Lutheran Church Charities will have information about programs. Haven Source will offer financial literacy services, she said.

Comfort Dogs will also be on hand for families to meet their dogs, which comforted families following the Sand Hook Elementary School shooting rampage.

The outpouring of help and resources tells Mullen that something special is happening

“It tells me God is at work,” she said. “He is using our congregation and our facility. We’ve been blessed with a great facility.”

Barrington Giving Day is expected 300 to 350 families will attend, by invitation. So far, about 3,000 pieces of clothing have been collected. Donations will be accepted through Aug. 1.

Additional volunteers are needed, she said. Volunteers have been sorting clothing, even ironing items, and organizing tables to give room to go shopping. Information about volunteering is available on Barrington Giving Day's website or the church’s website.