A Back-to-School Store Was Free; ‘Watching the Joyful Experiences of the Boys Was Priceless’

By Robin Cohn

I’ve always enjoyed volunteering for a good cause. But I recently had a particularly great experience at the National Council of Jewish Women NY’s “Back 2 School Store.”

The program enables girls and boys from low-income families to “shop” for new outfits and school supplies: all brand new, all free. Plus there is the extra benefit of having a “personal shopper.”

The NCJW NY’s four-story building at 241 West 72nd Street (between Broadway and West End Avenue) was turned into a pop-up store from August 4-7. The children ranged from first to fifth graders (about 6 to 12 years old) who were selected by community programs serving low-income families. Each child was assigned a volunteer personal shopper who guided them through the different floors of the store.

On my day, the kids were from the East Harlem Boys Club of New York. At other times, the store serves girls too.

The volunteers helped kids pick out whatever they wanted. Hard to tell who was having a better time. Together, they selected pants and shirts, winter jackets complete with gloves and hats, and sneakers and socks. Also, backpacks filled with school supplies and reference books.

First I was posted outside the entrance, greeting the children, keeping them occupied until they were paired with a volunteer. Many of them kept busy at a table full of art supplies. One little boy offered to sing me a rap song with naughty words.

Others looked wide-eyed as I explained their upcoming adventure. “Is it free?” they asked dubiously. “Really? Wow!” A boy said who was particularly ecstatic because he did not have a winter jacket.

After the kids were paired with shoppers, I entered a store filled with excited chatter. Some kids had definite tastes in styles and colors, and zoomed around the racks. Others were not so sure and tried on lots of clothes, with gentle suggestions from their guides.

Not surprisingly, I hung up lots of clothes. Staff members helped in the dressing rooms. When curtains opened, the kids, some shyly, looked at their shoppers for a reaction.

“Those look great. Are you happy with them?”

“Do you think the pants are a little tight? I’ll get you a bigger size. That outfit is so cool.”

And, like a Greek chorus, we other volunteers happily chimed in with compliments.

In the shoe room, shoppers squatted down, pushing thumb on sneaker tops to check the fit. Then socks. On the next floor, volunteers tugged winter jackets to make sure they were roomy enough for winter wear. Gloves and hats were next door.

Some held hands with their shoppers. One little boy was quiet until he heard his next stop. “Backpacks!” he yelled, and flew down the stairs.

The only bottle neck: a table of stickers next to the backpacks, which resulted in some serious concentration by those passing by.

The little boy without a winter jacket clutched his new one. I asked him if he liked it.

“I don’t like it, I love it,” he told me reverently.

Earlier outside, I’d heard one boy grumble when he was paired with an “old lady.” I watched as they became best buds. When it was time to leave, he gave her a big hug. Actually, there were lots of hugs before the children left.

While I would have loved being a fly on the bus wall, the East Harlem Boys’ Club New York Education Director Jeffrey Fisher did report back.

“Each child left with a beaming smile, proudly carrying their new backpacks, and showing off their stylish new clothes and sneakers,” he said.

The benefit of a personal shopper was a bonus. Someone who pays attention to only you, offers good advice, and tells you how great you look.

Watching the boys’ joyful expressions was priceless.

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