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Community Corner

JFS OF METROWEST PACKS AND DONATES BACKPACKS FOR CHILDREN IN THE METROWEST AREA

Framingham, MA – 7/23/14. Jewish Family Service (JFS) of Metrowest is hosting a Build-a-Backpack event at the Framingham Public Library on August 25th and the Wellesley Public Library on August 26th.  With summer flying by, it’s time to start getting ready for the 2014-2015 school year by lending a helping hand to children in the Metrowest area.  

This is the third consecutive year of the Build-a-Backpack event, where the goal is to give away 100 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. This year, businesses such as On Process Technology, Horizon Technology, Framingham Public Library, and Kronos, Inc. are helping to support this great event.  

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, ie. 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’ Director of Immigrant & Youth Services Lucia Panichella. This backpack event is a part of one of JFS’ larger initiative called Reducing Achievement Gaps, 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 programs work 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 Panichella. Volunteers that attend the event are often families with younger children that love to participate. 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 register, visit https://jfsofmetrowest.wufoo.com/forms/build-a-backpack-registration/ and fill in the required information.  (Note this is for event participation only, not for backpack donations.)

JFS programs are standing up for those left behind, serving thousands of people throughout Metrowest.  Most programs are in schools, senior care facilities, playgrounds, faith organizations, physicians’ offices and public settings, all serving the goals of sustaining our elders, strengthening children and families, building community, and making ends meet.  To learn more about JFS visit our website at www.jfsmw.org or like us on Facebook!

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