Back 2 School Store event helps low-income families in Detroit

Micah Walker
Detroit Free Press
Demarco McCool, 8, hugs volunteer Jerrold Rubin during the Back 2 School Store event at Munger Elementary-Middle School in Detroit on  Sunday, Aug. 18, 2019.

For many children, going back to school means starting fresh. Not only does the beginning of the school year mean entering a new grade or school, but going shopping once again for new school supplies, clothes and shoes. 

But for low-income families, the start of the school year can be nerve-wracking and overwhelming, as they struggle to come up with enough funds to give children the tools they need. 

That is when the National Council of Jewish Women, Michigan come in. 

The faith-based social justice nonprofit hosted its 6th annual Back 2 School Store event Sunday at Munger Elementary-Middle School on Detroit's near-west side. More than 700 children had the opportunity to browse items with a personal shopper and select new backpacks, school supplies, books, clothes, winter coats, underwear, socks and shoes. 

In addition, health professionals from the Henry Ford Health System and the HUDA Clinic provided medical screenings including blood pressure, blood sugar and weight checks. Families could also visit one of the two dentists on site for medical advice, and for children with vision problems, volunteers from the Michigan Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons provided eye examinations. All of the medical, dental and vision services were free, and available to those with or without insurance.

While waiting for the store to open, Candida Leon and her 10-year-old daughter, Grace Benitez, sat in chairs close to the school's front doors. Benitez is entering the 5th grade at Munger this year, and is a bright student, receiving a 4.0 GPA last year and serving as a teacher's assistant with reading, her mother said. In addition to the school supplies, the Detroit mother said she believes her daughter may need glasses. 

Leon said the Back 2 School Store is "a relief." 

"When you have a low income, you think, 'How do I get them to feel comfortable at school?' I really appreciate all of them. I can't believe this is happening. I'm really grateful." 

Volunteer Suzanne Simon helps Grace Benitez, 10, find a winter coat to take home at the Back 2 School Store event at Munger Elementary-Middle School in Detroit on Sunday, Aug. 18, 2019.

One of the people helping parents sign-in and connecting children to their personal shoppers was Sandi Matz, a former president of the Michigan chapter of the Jewish women's council. She said the idea for the Back 2 School Store came from the national organization about 10 years ago, with the St. Louis chapter becoming one of the first to implement the event. The Michigan chapter created its own store in 2014. 

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In order to know which families to help, 18 local social service agencies give the council a list of underprivileged children, along with their clothing sizes. Agencies that participate include Brilliant Detroit, Black Family Development, Detroit Parent Network and People's Community Services, said Matz. All children must live in Detroit and be in kindergarten through 5th grade.

Since families are approved in advance, NCJW cannot register children on the day of the event. 

"I just smile all day long," said Matz. "I love the children. I just got a hug from a little girl who was crying 'cause I made her feel comfortable. It just lights up your life. It's such a wonderful feeling."

Sandi Matz, a former president of the National Council of Jewish Women, Michigan chapter, is a volunteer at the Back 2 School Store event at Munger Elementary-Middle School in Detroit on Aug. 18, 2019.

Meanwhile in the gym, volunteer Francine Snyder showed Aleiya Hogan shirts and leggings. The 9-year-old ended up selecting black and white sneakers, a coat, a pink hat and pink bunny mittens. Hogan is about to start 4th grade at Voyager Academy. 

"My favorite of the day is looking at the shoes," she said. 

Volunteer Francine Snyder helps Aleiya Hogan, 9, find clothes to take home at the Back 2 School Store event at Munger Elementary-Middle School in Detroit on Sunday, Aug. 18, 2019.

Arranging mittens on one of the tables was Fran Grossman, one of the people in charge of purchasing items. Grossman said she and two other women begin buying items in September for the next year's event. Target and Children's Place are some of the larger stores that help out, while nonprofit Mittens for Detroit supplies winter apparel. In addition, local store Lizzy's Shoes supplies footwear. 

"Everything is brand new, there's not one piece of used clothing," Grossman said. "All of the stores we deal with have been wonderful. ...

National Council of Jewish Women member Fran Grossman, 68, of Franklin is one of the heads of purchasing for the Back 2 School Store event at Munger Elementary-Middle School in Detroit on Sunday, Aug. 18, 2019.

"The smile on the kids' faces makes it worth it. And the attention that the volunteers give them. They say, 'Wow, you look fabulous.' How many times does a kid hear that? It's really a special day for the child."