Back To School Shop's 8th Annual Event Scheduled For Aug. 7 In Stamford

STAMFORD, CT — Back to School Shop, the all-volunteer community organization devoted to providing economically disadvantaged elementary school students with school clothing and supplies, is back for 2022.

Back to School Shop, Inc. is a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization led by Stamford residents, Meryl Japha and Co-Founder and Co-Chair Jane Levene.

Its mission is to ensure that every economically disadvantaged Stamford elementary school child experiences the excitement and joy of preparing for the new school year by choosing brand new school clothes and supplies.

The organization is celebrating its eighth annual event with a return to their in-person pop-up shop, after two years of COVID-19 necessitated drive-through events. The event will be held on Aug. 7 at Davenport Ridge Elementary School.

Japha expressed the organization's excitement about being back to their traditional in-person event.

"While we are so proud of the fact that we were able to pivot to hold very successful drive-through events the last two years, we are all thrilled to be back to the in-person shop," Japha said in a news release. "There is just no substitute for the children being able to choose their own items and for all of the families and volunteers to experience the joy on their faces."

Nearly 400 Stamford elementary school students, identified and pre-registered by their school social workers, are expected to shop by appointment for brand new school clothes and supplies in a department store environment created just for them in the Davenport Ridge School gym.

With the help of volunteer "personal shoppers," each child will have the chance to select their own outfit, including sneakers, winter coat, shirt, pants, socks, underwear, gloves and a hanmade hat.

In addition to the clothing, each child will choose a backpack and fill it with school supplies and a book. All of the brand new items chosen by the children were purchased by Back to School Shop volunteers with funds raised from generous donors, and they are provided free of charge.

While the children are shopping, their parents and caregivers can visit the on-site Japha Family Resource Center where they can meet with representatives of eight community organizations, including Community Health Centers, the Stamford Office of Community Engagement and Children's Learning Center to receive information about helpful resources.

"These young children represent the future," Levene said in a news release. "We want to play a part in helping them go back to school with the confidence and enthusiasm they need to have a successful year. We are deeply grateful to the many community volunteers and donors who have worked with us to make this special day a reality."

Over 2,000 children have benefited from Back to School Shop’s program since the 2015 inaugural event, with the help of over 1,000 community volunteers.

More information about Back to School Shop can be found here.