The Essex County division of the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW/Essex) had to reimagine its 12th Annual Back 2 School Store for 2020 because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Instead of setting up a one-day pop-up shop for students to choose items with a personal shopper, volunteers and partner agencies worked together to safely distribute back-to-school items.
New Community, which has identified children to participate in the Back 2 School Store for many years, accepted donated items and distributed them to families in July. Families received backpacks stuffed with school supplies, calculators, board games, colorful face masks and socks. NCJW/Essex hopes to distribute additional items to families in October.
