BLOOMFIELD, NJ — The Bloomfield Department of Health and Human Services, Human Services Division, will be participating for the sixth year in the Back 2 School Store for children entering grades K to five in fall 2016, which is sponsored by the National Council of Jewish Women, Essex County Section.
The Back 2 School Store is a free one-day event held on Sunday, July 31, at Temple B’nai Shalom in West Orange, and is designed to provide financially disadvantaged Essex County elementary-school children with new clothing, school supplies, and other necessities that will help them begin the school year with much excitement.
Each child during the event is escorted by a volunteer personal shopper to help him/her select new clothing, including a winter jacket, shirt, pair of pants, pair of sneakers, new underwear, socks, hat, scarf, and gloves, plus a new backpack filled with a complete set of age-appropriate school supplies and personal-care items. All items are new and of no cost to each participating family.
While the children are shopping, parents will have the opportunity to visit the Gaelen Family Resource Center to receive information on community resources, adult health care, and career and educational opportunities.
To qualify, Bloomfield or Glen Ridge families need to be income eligible for food stamps or a food pantry, or the school district’s free or reduced cost lunch programs. Parents must attend the event in person with their child.
Applications will be accepted through May 9 at the Bloomfield Division of Human Services, 1 Municipal Plaza, Room 213, on a first-come, first-served basis, until slots are filled. Contact the Division of Human Services for more information at 973-680-4017.
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