SEPTEMBER 19 • 2024 | 31
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lmost 900 school children in Metro Detroit, 
identified by local social service agencies, 
nonprofit organizations and schools, 
received new winter coats, clothing, socks, underwear, 
hats, mittens, school supplies, toothbrushes/
toothpaste and books in a first-time-ever hybrid 
model of the “Back 2 School Store” (B2SS). 
Two hundred pre-identified children had the 
opportunity to shop in person with their own 
personal shopper, and 700 children were provided 
with clothing and supplies courtesy of NCJW|MI 
through the agencies that support their families. The 
nonprofit organization, which works to improve the 
lives of local families, is known for organizing the 
Back 2 School Store event every August, where pre-
identified Detroit children were provided their own 
personal shopper to choose the appropriate coat, 
clothing and school supplies. In 2019, 750 children 
attended the in-person event, but during the last four 
years, the program had to be modified because of the 
pandemic, with clothing and supplies distributed to 
hundreds of children via agencies.
Detroit Parent Network, COTS Detroit, Hope of 
Detroit Academy and Cesar Chavez Academy invited 
the children for an in-person shopping experience. 
The children who were in kindergarten through fifth 
grade were assisted by NCJW|MI volunteers.
“We were thrilled to offer once again a shopping 
experience for children where they chose items with 
our dedicated team of volunteers acting as personal 
shoppers,” said Back 2 School co-chair Sandi Matz, 
who is a former president of NCJW|MI and who 
co-chaired the event with Lisa Fox and Katie Stocker. 
“Seeing the smiles on the faces of the children as they 
select a new pair of pants or a T-shirt they love, or 
even a toothbrush in the color they like, is as exciting 
for us as it is for the children.” 
The hope is that eventually the beloved operation 
will return to a full in-person experience for young 
shoppers. 

NCJW’S Back 
2 School Store 

NCJWMI Volunteers Paula 
Weiser and Linda Blum 
assist families at the 
Family Waiting Room.

NCJWMI 
volunteer 
Enid Schatz 
and Caileen 
Montgomery

NCJWMI 
volunteer 
Jonathan LoPatin 
and Jesus and 
Rose Garza

NCJWMI volunteers wait for the 
next group of kids to arrive.

NCJWMI volunteer 
Amy Leifer and 
Ja’Kayla Norman

NCJWMI 
volunteer Stacy 
Zousmer and 
Krisbell Bracho 
Fernandez

PHOTOS COURTESY OF NCJW/MI