SEPTEMBER 16 • 2021 | 27
faces&places
About 900 Metro Detroit chil-
dren in need, identified by 21
local human service agencies
and schools, received new
winter jackets, gloves/mittens,
hats, socks, masks, pants/
leggings, books, sweatshirts,
underwear, toothbrush/tooth-
paste, bookmarks and greet-
ing cards at the slightly modi-
fied Back 2 School Store. The
Aug. 12 drive-through event
arranged by the National
Council of Jewish Women,
Michigan (NCJW|MI) and
manned by its volunteers.
The nonprofit organiza-
tion, which works to improve
the lives of local families, is
known for organizing the
Back 2 School Store event
annually in August, where
pre-identified Detroit chil-
dren in need are provided
their own personal shopper
to choose their supplies. This
year, the program had to
be modified because of the
pandemic, with clothing dis-
tributed to 900 children via
agencies.
“With the pandemic going
into its second year, we must
be creative, adjust and mod-
ify, but not stop our work in
the community,” explained
Amy Cutler, president of
NCJW|MI. “Our volunteers
started shopping for clothes
and supplies in January of
2021, and the agencies we
contacted were overwhelm-
ingly appreciative.”
NCJW|MI volunteers Susan Friedman, Debbie Barnett, Margo Stocker,
Community Outreach Team agency representative Inez DeJesus,
NCJW|MI volunteer Ruth Zerin, Community Outreach Team agency
representative Christina Morales and her two daughters.
Corpus Christi Parish agency representative Curtis Simpson Jr. and his
daughter flank NCJW|MI volunteer Susan Friedman and Ruth Zerin.
NCJW|MI volunteers Karen Disner, Ruth Zerin and Margo Stocker.
NCJW|MI volunteers Lauren Koenigsberg, Susan Friedman, Detroit
Parent Network agency representative Toyja Bridges, NCJW|MI
volunteer Karen Disner.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF NCJW
NCJW Helps Outfi
t
Kids for Back to
School
School clothes and
supplies packaged and
sorted by NCJW|MI
volunteers prior to the
event.