The Sharing Shelf in Port Chester serving Westchester County, recently announced record-setting results for its annual “Backpacks to School” initiative, which ran for six weeks ending on Sept. 20. Hundreds of volunteers joined together to assemble, fill and distribute – free of charge – backpacks filled with grade-appropriate school supplies for Westchester students in need. The number of backpacks filled and distributed was 1,926 – 52 more than last year’s record. They were distributed by The Sharing Shelf through 40 nonprofit organizations and public schools benefiting children from pre-K through high school in more than 40 school districts in Westchester.
The record demand for backpacks is not surprising, as applications for clothing received by The Sharing Shelf have nearly tripled over the last five years: from 1,863 in 2018 to 5,579 in 2023. While Westchester is among the nation’s wealthiest counties, its poverty rate for children under five grew from 9.5% to 11.7% from 2021 to 2022, according to Westchester Children’s Association, and over 67,000 children and teens live in poverty or in a low-income home.
“Backpacks and school supplies are a vital part of any student’s preparation for school,” said Deborah Blatt, founder and executive director of The Sharing Shelf. “It’s crucial that every student has access to those tools for their educational success. We are enormously grateful to the many businesses, community organizations, and individuals who have provided in-kind or financial support to make this record-setting outcome possible.”
For more information or to speak with Deborah Blatt, contact Henry Miller at 917-921-8034 or hmiller@highimpactpartnering.com.
