Hundreds Of Needy Students Receive Free Items For Upcoming School Year

WEST ORANGE – Excitement was in the air Sunday as children from throughout Essex County got paired up with personal shoppers to help them navigate the Back 2 School Store, a one-day pop-up “department store” that provided new clothing, shoes and school supplies to children identified by local social service agencies, including New Community Corporation, as being in need.

Nearly 800 disadvantaged Essex County students went on a shopping spree where they received brand new items for free, including Victoria and Elijah Oluwatodimu who live at New Community Harmony House, a transitional housing facility for homeless families in Newark.

Victoria, 8, enjoyed shopping. Among the items in her bag were a pink coat (her favorite color), shoes and a backpack.

“My favorite thing I got today is my clothes,” she said.

Elijah, 6, didn’t have one favorite item. “My jacket and my book bag. And my shoes,” he said when asked what he liked best in his bag.

Children also received personal care items like toothbrushes, hair brushes and lip balm; school supplies like pens, pencils and tape; and winter wear including hats and gloves.

Mom Oluremi said it was the first time her family participated in the event, organized by the National Council of Jewish Women, Essex County Section (NCJW/Essex).

“I’m so happy,” said the mother of four. “It really saved me money.”

Oluremi participated in the services available for parents while her children shopped. She took an eye test and got her blood pressure and blood sugar checked.

Members of the Bloomfield Police Department were also on hand to fingerprint children.

This was the ninth year for the Back 2 School Store, which was held at B’nai Shalom in West Orange. All the items provided to the children were bought new with donations NCJW/Essex received. Five hundred volunteers gave their time for the event, which ran from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

New Community Corporation is one of the social service agencies that identify children for participation in the Back 2 School Store. The organization provides a variety of services for the low-income population, including housing, child care, youth services, behavior and mental health services and assistance to families who have exhausted their welfare limits. More information about New Community and how to donate is available at www.newcommunity.org.