90 Bloomfield Students Get Free School Supplies In Livingston

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of the Bloomfield Department of Health and Human Services. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site here.

About 90 Bloomfield children are back-to-school ready with a new outfit, new backpack and a new attitude. The elementary students were among more than 800 from Essex County who “shopped” at the 10th annual Back 2 School Store on July 29 at Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy in Livingston.

The one-day pop-up “department store,” which is sponsored by the National Council of Jewish Women, Essex County Section (NJCW/Essex), is set up for economically disadvantaged children entering K-5.

The Bloomfield Department of Health and Human Services (BDHHS) screened, registered, and attended the event with the children.

“This is for children who never get the opportunity to shop for new clothes and backpacks for school,” said Paula Peikes, human services supervisor for BDHSS. She added the department reached out to NCJW/Essex on behalf of the families it serves.

“Lower-income families usually get hand-me-downs,” said Peikes. “This gives kids the chance to be creative and pick the colors and styles they want without the limitation of cost. It’s a great start to their school year.”

Each child was escorted through the “store” with a volunteer personal shopper and picked out an outfit, including a winter jacket and sneakers, plus underwear, socks, a hat and gloves. They also selected a backpack and filled it with school supplies, personal care items and books.

While they were shopping, parents visited the onsite family resource center to learn about social service programs, career and educational opportunities and other community resources.

NJCW/Essex donated the leftover clothes and items to BDHSS. The department then delivered them to New Light Baptist Church, which will distribute them to in-need residents.

Peikes said parents of children entering pre-K-6 who are still in need of school supplies can call the department at 973-680-4017 to register for other programs.

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Photo: Bloomfield Department of Health and Human Services