FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q. What is the Back to School Shop Event?
A. The Back to School Shop event is a one day pop-up "store" where some of the elementary school children of low income families in Stamford, CT can "shop" for brand new back to school clothes, shoes, and school supplies for free.
Q. What is the purpose of the Back to School Shop?
A. Many Stamford children return to school each year without the basic clothing and school supplies they need. By providing them an opportunity to shop for new items, the Back to School Shop helps build the confidence and enthusiasm they need for a successful start to the school year.
Q.How does the Back to School Shop work?
A. The Back to School Shop is set up like a department store. Volunteer "personal shoppers" help each child select a brand new outfit for school (a shirt, pants, socks, underwear, winter coat, hat, and gloves) and the children are fitted for new sneakers. They also receive a new backpack and school supplies and are able to pick out a new book to bring home
Q. How many children benefit from the Back To School Shop?
A. Nearly 370 elementary school children were served at 2023’s 9th annual event. To date, Back to School Shop has served over 2800 children.
Q. How are the children chosen?
A. The children are identified based on need by social workers in their Stamford elementary school.
Q. Is this event open to the public?
A. No. The children who participate in the Back to School Shop event have been identified and pre-registered by social workers in the Stamford Public School System.
Q. Where do the clothes and school supplies come from?
A. Volunteer shoppers purchase all items throughout the year, using funds generously donated by private individuals, local foundations and organizations.
Q. What do the parents do while the children are shopping?
A. Parents and caregivers may visit the on-site Japha Family Resource Center where they can pick up information about healthcare and vital community resources and meet with representatives of many community organizations.
Q. When and where is the event held?
A. The 10th Anniversary Back to School Shop event will be held on Sunday, July 28, 2024. Stay tuned for news of the 2024 event. Events are held at a local elementary school in Stamford.
Q. How is the event staffed?
A. The event is staffed with nearly 200 community volunteers who are trained for their specific jobs.
Q. What is the history of the Back to School Shop?
A. Back To School Shop, Inc. is an all volunteer organization that was founded in 2013 by two local women, Meryl Japha and Jane Levene. Meryl and Jane wanted to create an event in Stamford where children of low income families could "shop" for their own new school outfits and back to school supplies, like their more fortunate peers. They mobilized a steering committee of volunteers to run the event, enlisted the assistance of the Stamford Public School System, whose elementary school social workers identify the children most in need of the program each year. Initially, Back to School Shop operated under the auspices of United Jewish Federation of Greater Stamford, New Canaan and Darien, to give itself time to get established. As of September 1, 2017, Back to School Shop, Inc. began operating independently as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Q. Is the Back to School Shop a non-profit organization?
A. Yes, the Back to School Shop is registered as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization with the state of Connecticut.
Q. Are donations to Back to School Shop tax deductible?
A. Yes, all gifts are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
Q. Who runs the Back to School Shop?
A. The Back to School Shop is run by a volunteer Board of Directors. See more information on board members here.
Q. What is the Back to School Shop’s relationship with the Stamford Public School System?
A. Back to School Shop is an independent non-profit organization. It works closely with the Stamford Public School System, which identifies and registers the participating children each year, through the elementary school social workers. In addition, many school system employees volunteer at the Back to School Shop event each year.
Q. What is the Back to School Shop's relationship with United Jewish Federation?
A. Until September 1, 2017, Back to School Shop operated under the auspices of United Jewish Federation of Greater Stamford, New Canaan and Darien, as Back to School Shop worked to establish itself in the community. Currently, Back to School Shop is operating independently as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.