JFS OF METROWEST INVITES YOU TO DONATE BACKPACKS TO
LOW-INCOME STUDENTS IN THE METROWEST AREA
Click here to register for this year’s Build a Backpack events!
Framingham, MA – 6/18/18 – Jewish Family Service (JFS) of Metrowest is hosting a Build-a-Backpack event at the Framingham Public Library on Monday, August 27th and at the Wellesley Public Library on Tuesday August 28th. With summer flying by, it’s time to start getting ready for the 2018-2019 school year by lending a helping hand to children in the Metrowest area.
This is the seventh consecutive year of the Build-a-Backpack event, where the goal is to give away 275 backpacks full of school supplies to families in our community who need it most. Every year, JFS collects school supplies for children ages 5-10 years through corporate donations and local supply drives. Past donors include organizations such as, Kronos, Inc., On Process Technology, Christmas Tree Shops, Horizon Technology, Framingham Public Library, Staples, Trader Joe’s and Wegmans.
Volunteers (often families with young children) are asked to bring new backpacks to the event where they stuff them full of school supplies, choosing who the backpack will go to, i.e. 2nd grade girl, 4th grade boy, etc. Then JFS distributes the filled backpacks to the Woodrow Wilson Elementary School in Framingham as well as the parent information center for the Framingham Public Schools.
“Build-a-Backpack is a wonderful event that brings families together and gives kids the chance to learn how they can help support their community” says JFS Manager of Youth and Volunteer Programs, Kayla Hopkins. The backpack events are part of JFS’s Reducing Achievement Gaps initiative, which is a comprehensive system of interventions to address the academic and social needs of low-income children of immigrant families in Framingham.
“JFS Reducing Achievement Gaps works to give children the tools they need to succeed in school and in life. Backpacks and school supplies can help a child feel more confident at school and prepared to tackle homework at home,” states Hopkins. “This event is a chance for children to become involved in philanthropy and possibly even build a backpack for the student sitting next to them in math class. JFS is finishing off the summer with a feel good project that makes a difference in people’s lives.”
This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required to ensure an adequate stock of supplies. Click here to register for this year’s events. To learn more about JFS and the Reducing Achievement Gaps program, please visit www.jfsmw.org.
About JFS of Metrowest
JFS is a nonprofit, community-based organization dedicated to standing up for those left behind and provides services to over 5,000 people in need within the Metrowest and Greater Boston regions each year, including afterschool academic support for low income children; nutrition and basic family assistance for struggling families; citizenship, immigrant and resettlement programs; and geriatric care management and other support services that enable frail older adults to live independently. JFS’ sound fiscal management practices have earned it a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator. To learn more about JFS, visit www.jfsmw.org
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Media Contact:
JFS of Metrowest
Kayla Hopkins
Manager, Youth and Volunteer Programs
khopkins@jfsmw.org
508-875-3100 x220
Framingham, MA, USA