Seventh Annual BACK to SCHOOL SHOP Event

Back to School Shop, the all-volunteer community organization devoted to providing economically disadvantaged elementary school students with clothing & supplies is back!

Rising elementary students and their parents, selected for participation by social workers in the Stamford elementary schools, are marking Sunday, July 25th, 2021, on their calendars for the Davenport Ridge Elementary School event. The event will be a drive-through format again this year, out of concern for the safety of the young participants who are below the vaccination age.

The families of nearly 450 pre-registered children will have assigned times to drive into Davenport Ridge's parking lot for curbside pick-up of a backpack filled with school supplies, toiletries, a book, as well as several articles of clothing. New items added this year include hooded sweatshirts, socks and underwear, and each child will receive a hand-knit hat made by local volunteers. In addition, the parents or caregivers will receive a generous gift card for each child to enable them to purchase additional items needed for school.

New this year, Back to School Shop is excited to have Community Health Center, Inc. (CHC) provide an on-site Covid-19 vaccination clinic as part of the special event. Parents/guardians and eligible siblings (12yrs and older) will have the opportunity to be vaccinated conveniently in the Davenport Ridge gym, with or without an appointment, after driving through to receive their Back to School Shop items.

Leslie Gianelli, Vice President, Communications for CHC explained, “We are eager to reach people where and when it is convenient for them, and so we are thrilled to be a partner with Back to School Shop in this event!”

Back to School Shop’s Co-Chairs, Meryl Japha and Jane Levene, the board of directors, and other volunteers have been working hard to raise funds, secure supplies, and organize the event. Japha explained “In most years over 50% of the children in the Stamford Public schools are considered economically disadvantaged, and we know that this last year has been unusually challenging for so many of our local families. We’re delighted to be able to expand the list of items that we will be providing this year, and so grateful that, thanks to CHC, we can offer the opportunity for family members to get their Covid vaccination.”

Superintendent of Stamford Public Schools, Tamu Lucero, remarked “Back to School Shop continues to find a way to support Stamford students and families. Amidst a global pandemic, the Back to School Shop volunteers continue to make a difference. We in Stamford Public Schools appreciate the support.”

Back to School Shop, Inc. is a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization founded and chaired by Stamford residents, Japha and Levene, whose mission is to ensure that every economically disadvantaged Stamford elementary school child experiences the excitement and joy of preparing for school via new clothes and supplies. “These young children are our future” said Levene. “We want them to go back to school with the confidence and enthusiasm they need to help them have a successful year. Back to School Shop is working hard to do our part in making that happen.”

Over 1,500 children have benefited from Back to School Shop’s program since the 2015 inaugural event, with the help of over 1,000 volunteers.

Special Thanks to: Diamond Star Sponsors Meryl and Ron Japha; Platinum Star Sponsors Ellen Clark and Joseph Garcia, Audrey Gaelen, Jason Mager, and The Tony Wintrub Foundation; and Gold Star Sponsors Charlesanna and Bill Ecker, and Nan and Paul Gordon.

More information about Back to School Shop can be found by visiting www.backtoschoolshop.org