Lake Forest spotlights Fill a Heart for Kids; group says it serves more than 4,000 children

Annie Maccavini, founder and executive director of Fill a Heart for Kids, told the Lake Forest City Council on Nov. 3 that the nonprofit now serves more than 4,000 children in Lake and Cook counties and partners with 84 schools and social-service agencies to reach children who are homeless or at risk.

Maccavini described recurring programs including weekly mobile pantry deliveries, “Thanksgiving in a Box,” survival backpacks for homeless children, holiday distribution programs and tutoring. She said the organization sponsors roughly $6,800 in food weekly and that volunteers packed 93,000 servings in a single Thanksgiving packing event. Maccavini also noted the group has distributed more than 4,000 winter coats this season and sponsors about 90,000 school supplies annually.

Why it matters: Council members and the city manager framed the presentation as a community-spotlight briefing that highlights an organization providing direct services to vulnerable children in Lake Forest’s region. The nonprofit’s regularly scheduled volunteer events and school partnerships provide ongoing opportunities for residents and businesses to support food and basic-needs distribution.

Details: Maccavini described several operational features: each child receiving assistance is registered through a school or social-service agency rather than through public giveaways; the group contracts to buy supplies in bulk to stretch donor dollars; and the organization runs programs seven days a week during high-need periods. She also described renovation work the group has done in foster facilities, including cafeteria and sensory-wing upgrades.

Council response: Mayor Tack and other council members thanked Maccavini and invited residents to volunteer. The presentation was part of the city manager’s community-spotlight section and drew no vote or formal action.