Economically Disadvantaged Kids Get To Shop For School Supplies

Ready! Set! Shop! At least 500 economically disadvantaged children didn't need any money when they went Sunday to one very special department store for a back-to-school shopping spree. These children were escorted individually by as many as 300 volunteer personal shoppers through the aisles of the Back 2 School Store - 4,000 square feet of donated space that was transformed into a department store-like setting.

The kids combed the aisles, picking out brand new clothing, school supplies, backpacks, and personal care items purchased by the National Council of Jewish Women, Essex County Section, which sponsored the shopping spree. The president of NCJW is long-time Montclair resident Jill Johnson.

"The Back 2 School Store is a great way to start off my two-year term as president of NCJW Essex County," Johnson said. "To see the enthusiasm and the smiles on the kids' faces and to know that we are helping so many children and families in these hard economic times reconfirms that we are meeting the mission of NCJW."

Each child "shopped" for a completely new outfit - shirt, pants, underclothes, socks, sneakers, winter jacket, hat, gloves, and scarf - and also received a backpack filled with school supplies and personal care items.

The goal was to foster positive self-esteen and enthusiasm so that the children will be ready to focus on learning on the first day of school. While the kids were shopping, their parents and caregivers received information about helpful community resources.

The shopping spree took place on Sunday, August 1 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the B'nai Shalom Synagogue in West Orange.

If anyone wants to get involved in the Back 2 School Store project for next year, they should contact NCJW Director of Volunteers Sue Wasserman at swasserman@ncjwessex.org

The NCJW always accepts financial donations and interested donors can click to donate directly from the group's Web site at www.ncjwessex.org