All donations received by the Debra Gelfand Children’s Foundation go directly to the students and families of District 34. Foundation provides shoes, clothing, temporary transportation, rental and utility assistance, medical bill assistance, school supplies, books, uniforms, field trips, band instruments, and many other supports, to District 34 students who are experiencing an emergency crisis and/or financial needs. The Foundation works with all eight schools in the district. Our school social workers work directly with the students and families as liaisons to our Foundation.

Also part of the Debra Gelfand Children’s Foundation are The Gelfand Necessities Closet and the Gelfand Gardens. Both of these amazing new additions to our Foundation could not have been possible without the amazing support from The Glenview United Methodist Church (“GUMC”). Both the Closet and the Gardens are located at GUMC-727 Harlem Avenue in Glenview. 

The Gelfand Necessities Closet provides cleaning supplies, hygiene products, school supplies, diapers and other baby products, and paper goods to our families in need. The closet is also supported by our social workers and families can reach out to them directly to access this support.

The Gelfand Gardens was another gift from our friends at GUMC. The Gardens are currently being used to support teaching and learning for our students through hands-on opportunities to plant, grow and harvest! The Gardens will be hosting several student field trips this fall. This summer, our summer school was invited to the Gardens and they weeded, dug holes, planted and watered!! Food that is grown will be donated to the Northfield Food Pantry.