Stamford's Back To School Shop Holds 8th Annual Event

Back to School Shop, an all-volunteer community organization, welcomed 350 of Stamford’s disadvantaged elementary students into their eighth annual event on Sunday, August 7. The children, who were identified and registered for the event by Stamford elementary school social workers, were able to “shop” free of charge for brand new school clothes and supplies in the pop-up store which the organization created for them at Davenport Ridge Elementary School.

Sunday’s event marked a return to in-person shopping after 2 years of Covid necessitated drive-through events. “It was wonderful to see the children shopping in person again” said Meryl Japha, Co-Founder and Co-Chair of Back to School Shop. “Although we are proud of the drive-through events of the last 2 years, watching the children trying on sneakers and winter coats, and choosing the perfect outfits and backpacks for themselves was so uplifting. Even wearing masks, we could see that they had big smiles on their faces!”

Back to school shopping is the second largest expenditure for families annually, second only to the holidays, according to a study by Deloitte. And to make matters worse, clothing and accessory prices are up 18% this year and school supplies have increased 7%. That represents a significant challenge for the families whose children participate in Back to School Shop.

Enma Gomez, parent of a 10 year old participant reported “It’s hard to make ends meet and Back to School Shop helps to close the gap. It’s a privilege to live in a town like Stamford with programs like Back to School Shop.” A man who brought his 8-year old niece to the event agreed. “It’s amazing! My niece was so excited about coming here again, and we get to save money!”

The children were very excited when they entered the shop with their volunteer “personal shoppers” and saw the racks and racks full of brand new sneakers, winter coats, and clothing, as well as tables overflowing with backpacks, school supplies and books. One young participant told a volunteer, “I dreamed about this one time and now I get to have my dream come true!” Another, after choosing his items, exclaimed “I can keep all this!!”

While Personal Shoppers assisted the children with their “shopping”, their parents and guardians visited the Japha Family Resource Center where local agencies provided information about important community resources. The organizations present appreciated the opportunity to connect with so many families in the Stamford community.

Alexandra Avila and Scott Dianis manned a table in the Resource Center for Kids in Crisis. They remarked that “Back to School Shop provides us with a unique grassroots ability to educate the community about our services.”

Other organizations meeting with families included: Child Guidance Center of Southern Connecticut, Community Health Center, Inc., Children’s Learning Centers of Fairfield County, Connecticut Legal Services, Inc., Family Centers, The Community Action Agency of Western Connecticut, The Stamford Office of Community Engagement and St. Joseph Parenting Center

It takes many volunteers to bring the Back to School Shop to life for the children and their families. “We have over 180 volunteers working on this event, said Jane Levene, Co -founder and Co-Chair of Back to School Shop. We couldn’t be more grateful to the many returning volunteers, and we’re thrilled to have so many new volunteers this year as well.

Marietta, a long-time volunteer, said that she was grateful to Back to School Shop “for the opportunity to experience such joy in the company of the wonderful children and families. Back to School Shop is so respectful of the kids and they feel so empowered by the experience.” Her daughter, Annie, also a long-time volunteer added “I’m really moved observing the kids match each item of clothing with such care and pride."

First time volunteer, Noelle Mangienelli shared “This is a great experience. I’m so impressed by the selection of clothes and excited to see the kid’s enthusiasm.”

Leslie Lugo, an extra-duty police officer providing security at the the event, was so inspired that when there was a temporary shortage of bi-lingual personal shoppers, she jumped in to take some children to do their shopping. The children were very excited and asked lots of questions about being a police officer.

A number of local elected officials stopped by to celebrate the re-opening of the Shop for 2022. Mayor Caroline Simmons, State Senator Patricia Billie Miller, and State Representatives Matt Blumenthal, Corey Paris, and David Michel were all in attendance. Mayor Simmons said “we are really grateful for Back to School Shop. This event means so much to the children and families of Stamford, especially in an economically challenging year like this." Senator Miller added, “The children are our future. They are what motivates me to do the work I do. I wish an organization like Back to School Shop existed when I was in school. “

Representative Blumenthal, after stopping to help a young shopper try on a pair of shoes, expressed that "every child deserves to arrive on the first day of school feeling proud, confident, and ready to learn -- regardless of their family's circumstances. Thank you to the volunteers of Back to School Shop for making that possible for hundreds of children for the 8th straight year.”

Representative Michel also expressed his gratitude. “I’m greatly thankful that such an organization exists in Stamford to support my constituents and their children.” Representative Paris, a first time visitor to the event said, “I am amazed and moved by the critical work Back to School Shop does to help our marginalized communities!

Levene said “ We could never make Back to School Shop available for these deserving children and families without the support of the community --our generous donors and volunteers, community leaders and the Stamford Public School System.”

Superintendent of Stamford Public Schools, Tamu Lucero, a long-time supporter of Back to School Shop said, “The Stamford Public Schools greatly appreciate the opportunity to continue partnering with Back to School Shop in order to provide our elementary students with the clothing and supplies they need to have a positive experience returning to school. This program creates a wonderful impact not only on the event day, but each morning when students enter our schoolhouse doors."

Since its inaugural year in 2015, Back to School Shop has served nearly 2500 children.