JFS OF METROWEST INVITES YOU TO DONATE BACKPACKS TO
LOW-INCOME STUDENTS IN THE METROWEST AREA
Photo: Axie Breen
Click here to register for this year’s Build a Backpack events!
Framingham, MA – 5/14/19 – Jewish Family Service (JFS) of Metrowest is hosting a Build-a-Backpack event at the Framingham Public Library on Monday, August 26th and at the Wellesley Public Library on Tuesday August 27th. Summer will fly by — start the 2019-2020 school year right by lending a helping hand to children in the Metrowest area.
This is the 8th consecutive year of the Build-a-Backpack event, where the goal is to give away 300 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.
Photo courtesy of Sheldon Golder
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 brings families together and gives kids the chance to learn how they can help support their community. 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. This event is a chance for children to become involved in philanthropy and 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 community-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that works with over 5,000 people within the Metrowest and Greater Boston regions each year, targeting at-risk families, individuals, immigrants, and elders aging in place. Dedicated to standing up for those left behind, JFS is:
- Increasing the ability of frail elders to maximize independence and quality of life as they navigate the challenges that come with aging
- Accelerating academic achievement and pathways to college for low-income and first-generation students
- Providing safety, hope and opportunity for refugees victimized by world conflict
- Advancing equity with comprehensive assistance that empowers immigrant families to succeed
- Reducing poverty in our community with case management, basic needs assistance and employment readiness support
- Building families through adoption
JFS provides the tools to meet life’s obstacles to stabilize during a crisis and optimally achieve self-sufficiency, strengthen lives, improve wellbeing, and build a stronger community. JFS’ sound fiscal management practices have earned it a 4-star rating (score=100!) from Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator. To learn more about JFS or to view the 2018 Report to the Community, visit https://www.jfsmw.org/.
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Media Contact:
JFS of Metrowest
Amanda Coughlin
Director, Program Operations
acoughlin@jfsmw.org
508-875-3100 x340