Volunteer Registration is now open
for our 11th Annual Event!
Sunday, July 27, 2025
NOTE: This year’s event will be at a different Stamford location. Details available upon registration
Our annual Back to School Shop event is only possible with the help of our amazing volunteers! We need your help to make the day special for the 400 children we are expecting to welcome to our event.
See more information about volunteering here: https://www.backtoschoolshop.org/volunteer
Books Bring Joy-You can too!
Back to School Shop gives every child who attends our annual “shop” the chance to choose a brand-new, age-appropriate book from a wide variety of selections. Your caring donation today will give a child a book of their very own – one they can keep, and love, and share.
JUST $10 WILL BUY A BRAND-NEW, AGE-APPROPRIATE BOOK FOR A CHILD!
Calling all knitters !!
In the last few years, we have been overwhelmed with the generosity of the many knitters in our community who made wonderful handmade hats for the Back to School Shop children. We’ve received donations of over 2100 hats to date, and the children and their families are so appreciative!
As we gear up for our 2025 event, one thing we know for sure is that we want to provide our children with warm and cozy hats again! Will you help us? We’re expecting over 400 children, and that’s A LOT OF HATS!
All the information you need is here: https://www.backtoschoolshop.org/knit-guidelines-2025
Over 50% of elementary school children in Stamford are from low- income families. Many of them return to school each year without basic clothing and school supplies, and that can undermine the confidence they need for academic success.
Our Mission
Back to School Shop, Inc. provides elementary school children from low-income families in our community with brand new clothing and school supplies, to help build the confidence and enthusiasm they need for a successful start to the school year.
OUR PROGRAM
In an annual event prior to the start of school, children shop for new clothing and school supplies at no charge, in a pop-up store created just for them. While children shop with volunteer personal shoppers, their parents and caregivers visit the Japha Family Resource Center to meet with representatives of local agencies who provide information about how to access critical community services.
Back to School Shop, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.