LIVINGSTON, NJ, August 8, 2014—The National Council of Jewish Women, Essex County Section (NCJW/Essex) received a generous $10,000 grant from Ronald McDonald House Charities of the New York Tri-State Area, benefitting the 6th Annual Back 2 School Store, which was held on August 3rd.
The NCJW Back 2 School Store, an event held each year by NCJW/Essex, provides an opportunity for disadvantaged children, grades K-5, to “shop” cost-free in a one-day pop-up store full of brand new clothes and school supplies donated by NCJW/Essex and its sponsoring partners. Each child is escorted by a volunteer “personal shopper” through the store to pick out his or her own new backpack with school supplies, and a new outfit complete with a winter coat, pants, shirt, sneakers, undergarments, and winter hats and gloves.
This year, 650 children visited the store, the largest turnout since the inception of the NCJW/Essex Back 2 School Store. Over 375 volunteers were involved in planning, organizing and working at the store on the day of the event.
“On behalf of NCJW/Essex, I want to thank Ronald McDonald House Charities for their generous donation,” said NCJW/Essex president Deborah Legow Schatz. “We are so grateful to have such incredible sponsors to contribute to a cause so close to our hearts. Without them, none of this would be possible.”