Family First

Family First: Back-To-School For Families In Need

NEW YORK (CBS) ― Back to school often means shopping for new clothes and supplies, but for many people that's not the case. There are children in low-income families who never get new clothes for school or basic supplies for class.

The Community FoodBank of New Jersey is trying to make sure kids and teachers have what they need. Richard Uniacke is the Director of the FoodBank's Kids Division. He took time to sit down with CBS 2's Cindy Hsu.

Tell me about Tools 4 Schools and who is eligible?

Tools 4 Schools is a program of the Kids Division of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. The Tools 4 Schools Resource Center is a free store for teachers in low-income school districts in New Jersey. Currently, any school or educational program (teaches academic subjects) located in Newark, Elizabeth, Irvington, Paterson, or Plainfield, NJ that has at least 70% of its students participating in the National School Lunch Program is eligible. Each school year, eligible schools enroll in the program by submitting three simple documents. Schools wishing to enroll can send email inquiries to nrc@njfoodbank.org.

How do teachers get involved with the program and how does the shopping program work?

Once a school is enrolled in the program, any full-time, certified teacher from that school may shop for free twice each year. To shop, the teacher must first schedule an appointment by e-mailing nrc@njfoodbank.org (shopping hours: Monday-Thursday, 3-5 pm). Within 2 days, they will receive an appointment confirmation with all of the information needed to attend their free shopping trip. During their trip, teachers have 30 minutes to shop and must keep track of the number of items they take through our point system. All of the items in the Tools 4 Schools Resource Center are divided into categories, and each category has a point value. While shopping, teachers must tally how many items they take from each category and then calculate how many points' worth of items they have taken at the end of their 30 minutes. Each teacher is entitled to 1,000 points worth of supplies. This averages out to one shopping cart full of supplies – approximately $450 worth, depending on what is taken.

Tell me about Kids Closet and who is eligible.

The Kids Closet is a program of the Kids Division of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. This program provides brand new clothing to children throughout New Jersey, free of charge. The program is only open to Member Agencies of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey who regularly serve children (nonprofit day care centers, homeless shelters, community development corporations, for example). Children receiving clothing through this program will receive 3-5 brand new outfits and possibly a new winter coat. To inquire about becoming a Member Agency of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, call 908-355-3663.

How can parents request clothes?

Clothing can only be requested for children by a Member Agency of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. These agencies receive periodic announcements about our program, and respond by sending in lists of children in need of clothing, their sizes, their ages, and whether they are male or female.

What do the 2 programs need right now?

Our Most Needed Items for our Tools 4 Schools program include brand new pencils, notebooks, backpacks, and copy paper. Our Most Needed Items for our Kids Closet include brand new children's winter coats, and brand new children's clothing between sizes 4T and 14. We are unable to accept used clothing or adult clothing for this program.

How can people help?

People can help by holding drives targeted at collecting specific items such as a pencil drive, notebook drive, or new coat drive. To receive our drive packet, please call 908-355-3663. Volunteers are also needed to stock and organize shelves in our Tools 4 Schools Resource Center, and to sort new donations and assemble clothing packages for children in our Kids Closet. Those interested in volunteering can contact our office of Volunteer Services at volunteer@njfoodbank.org or 908-355-3663.

Final thoughts?

"Back to school" time can be very difficult for low-income families. In fact, it tends to cost $270-$305 to send one child back to school (4 new outfits including undergarments, 1 new winter coat, 1 new backpack w/ supplies). Now is a great time to get involved to help improve the lives of children in New Jersey.

E-Mail comments to Cindy Hsu.

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