Pop-Up Shop Gives Over 300 Stamford Students Clothes, Supplies

STAMFORD, CT — Over 360 Stamford elementary students were able to shop for back-to-school outfits and school supplies, free of charge, at the 2019 Back to School Shop pop-up store at Davenport Ridge Elementary School on Sunday.

The annual one-day event was created five years ago by Back to School Shop, Inc. According to spokesperson Charlesanna Ecker, the shop's mission is to provide economically disadvantaged elementary school children in the community with items that will help build the confidence and enthusiasm they need for a successful start to the school year.

"Many children in our community are considered economically disadvantaged, and they don't have the opportunity to go back-to-school shopping like their more fortunate peers," Ecker said in an email to Patch. "We hope that by making sure that they have the clothing and supplies they need and by letting them choose the items for themselves in a department store-like environment, they will start school feeling good about themselves."

Every item in the pop-up shop is brand new, purchased by a team of volunteer shoppers who work year-round to ensure the organization has a wide range of sizes and styles that will appeal to participating children.

"We buy the items with donations mostly from individuals, but from some foundations and corporations as well," Ecker said.

The children are chosen by Stamford Public School social workers based on need. The organization then reaches out to the children's families and invites them to pre-register for the event.

Ecker said Stamford Superintendent Tamu Lucero was "instrumental" in helping get the shop off the ground.

"We reached out to her when she was assistant superintendent for the elementary schools," Ecker said. "She authorized the school social workers to help us identify children in need of this program."

After checking in, students participating in the event met a "personal shopper" and entered the school's gymnasium, which had been decorated to resemble a department store, according to a statement from the organization. Inside the store were racks of winter coats and school clothes, a large sneaker fitting area and tables of gloves, hats, backpacks, books and school supplies among other items.

The event was able to bring smiles to many students and get them excited about starting school next month. According to Ecker, one participating child who was trying on a new pair of sneakers at the event even asked a volunteer shopper if she was "really the first person to wear [the sneakers]?"

Sunday not only marked the event's fifth anniversary, but also its biggest turnout yet.

"We served over 360 children," Ecker said. "That is 60 more than last year, and three times the number we served at our inaugural event. We've been able to raise enough money and recruit enough volunteers to increase the size of the event each year."

As Back to School Shop, Inc. is a 100 percent volunteer organization, the event is only possible each year through the work of many volunteers. This year, nearly 250 volunteers participated.

"Our founders Meryl Japha and Jane Levene recruited volunteers to get the organizations off the ground, and we have no paid staff," Ecker said. "The event is organized, set up and run by volunteers...many of them come back each year, and they also recommend us to their friends. We get comments from them all the time that working with these children and seeing the joy on their faces makes this their favorite volunteer activity ever."

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held prior to the opening of the shop. Those in attendance alongside Japha and Levene included Lucero, Bob Lion of the Stamford Board of Representatives and State Representatives Matt Blumenthal, David Michel and Dan Fox.

Representatives of Charter Communications also attended the ribbon cutting to present a check to the Back to School Shop.

"It is amazing to see how the Back to School Shop has grown from an idea to providing back-to-school items for over 300 Stamford Public School students," Lucero said in an email to Patch. "We really appreciate the partnership and look forward to continuing to support this wonderful opportunity for our families."

While children shop during the event, their parents have the opportunity to visit the Japha Family Resource Center. According to the organization's website, the center is where up to 20 local community organizations provide information about vital community services, such as healthcare, low-income housing, legal services and other support services.

"Each year a number of community agencies and other organizations attend," Ecker said. "They tell us that they appreciate the opportunity to do outreach to these families, and we know that the families appreciate the information they can get about services they might be eligible for."