OUR 10TH ANNIVERSARY EVENT WAS A GREAT SUCCESS!
Nearly 430 children from low-income families were able to shop for brand-new school clothes and supplies, thanks to the generosity of our donors and the support of over 200 volunteers. Since its inaugural event, Back to School Shop has outfitted over 3,200 children! We are looking forward to outfitting thousands more children over the next 10 years, and helping to give them the confidence they need for success in school!
THANK YOU TO OUR VOLUNTEERS
This event can only happen with your continued dedication and support! Thank you for helping to create such an amazing experience for these deserving children!
If you would like to be on our list of volunteers for next year, please send your contact information to volunteers.backtoschoolshop@gmail.com
Calling all knitters and crocheters!
In the last few years, we have been overwhelmed with the generosity of the many knitters and crocheters in our community who made wonderful handmade hats for the Back to School Shop children. We’ve received donations of over 2100 hats to date, and the children and their families are so appreciative!
We’re still working on the details of our 2025 event, but one thing we know for sure is that we want to provide our children with warm and cozy hats again! Will you help us? We’re expecting over 400 children, and that’s A LOT OF HATS!
All the information you need is here: https://www.backtoschoolshop.org/knit-guidelines-2025
Check out what our volunteers have to say about Back to School Shop!
“I have been lucky enough to witness the joy that the annual event brings to children when they pick out backpacks, school supplies, clothing, and sneakers for the new school year. Nothing beats seeing the smiles on the faces of hundreds of children!”
– Kimberly Greene
See other volunteer quotes here.
Over 50% of elementary school children in Stamford are from low- income families. Many of them return to school each year without basic clothing and school supplies, and that can undermine the confidence they need for academic success.
Our Mission
Back to School Shop, Inc. provides elementary school children from low-income families in our community with brand new clothing and school supplies, to help build the confidence and enthusiasm they need for a successful start to the school year.
OUR PROGRAM
In an annual event prior to the start of school, children shop for new clothing and school supplies at no charge, in a pop-up store created just for them. While children shop with volunteer personal shoppers, their parents and caregivers visit the Japha Family Resource Center to meet with representatives of local agencies who provide information about how to access critical community services.
Back to School Shop, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.