National Council of Jewish Women, Michigan, to Fill Backpacks with School Supplies for 1300 Homeless and In Need Oakland County Children

Photo courtesy of National Council of Jewish Women | Last year’s backpack project

What: 

The National Council of Jewish Women, Michigan (NCJW|MI), a social advocacy and grassroots volunteer organization operating in metro Detroit for 135 years, will be filling backpacks for 1300 Oakland County children. Oakland County Schools have identified 800 homeless children who will benefit, and Jewish Family Service of Metro Detroit has identified a further 500 children in need. The backpacks will contain paper, pencils and pens, erasers, rulers, and a pencil case, with additional supplies provided depending on the age of the children. When the children are given their new backpacks, they will all have a choice of a new book to read.

Why:

 NCJW|MI is organizing the event to ensure that vulnerable local children can start the school year feeling confident and with all the school supplies they need. Support for purchasing the new school supplies comes from generous donors including Bookstock, Phillip and Elizabeth Filmer Memorial Charitable Trust, the Arlene and Eric Oppenheim Books and Blanket Fund, The Ravitz Foundation, Backpack Project Family Funds: Claire and Arthur (z”l) Kretchmer and Carol Krugel, and individual donors. For more information go to www.ncjwmi.org

About the National Council of Jewish Women of Michigan

Founded in 1891 and inspired by Jewish values, National Council of Jewish Women, Michigan has maintained a progressive stance on issues at the local, state and national levels. It is a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates committed to social justice and a call for action ‘Powerful Voices. Progressive Change’. The mission of supporters is to improve the quality of life for women, children, and families by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms.