Volunteers filling backpacks at The Sharing Shelf in Port Chester
The Sharing Shelf, the nonprofit clothing bank serving Westchester County, announced today the record-setting results of its 14th annual “Backpacks to School” initiative. Through that initiative, which ran for six weeks ending on September 20, hundreds of volunteers joined together to assemble, fill, and distribute – free of charge – backpacks filled with grade-appropriate school supplies for Westchester students in need.
The number of backpacks filled and distributed was 1,926 – 52 more than last year’s record.
The backpacks were filled with grade-appropriate school supplies. They were distributed by The Sharing Shelf through 40 nonprofit organizations and public schools benefiting children from pre-K through high school in more than 40 school districts in Westchester.
The record demand for backpacks is not surprising, as applications for clothing received by The Sharing Shelf have nearly tripled over the last five years: from 1,863 in 2018 to 5,579 in 2023. While Westchester is among the nation’s wealthiest counties, its poverty rate for children under five grew from 9.5% to 11.7% from 2021 to 2022, according to Westchester Children’s Association, and over 67,000 children and teens live in poverty or a low-income home.
“Backpacks and school supplies are a vital part of any student’s preparation for school,” said Deborah Blatt, Founder and Executive Director of The Sharing Shelf. “It’s crucial that every student has access to those tools for their educational success. We are enormously grateful to the many businesses, community organizations, and individuals who have provided in-kind or financial support to make this record-setting outcome possible.”
About The Sharing Shelf
The Sharing Shelf is a nonprofit clothing bank serving Westchester County, NY. Founded in 2009, it operates a warehouse in Port Chester, where new and gently used clothes are collected, volunteers screen the clothes for quality, and the clothes are distributed for free to low-income children and teens through social-service agencies, schools, and other nonprofits. The Sharing Shelf also opened in 2024 (adjacent to the warehouse) a Teen Boutique, where teens in financial need, referred by schools and nonprofit organizations, can select their own clothing at no cost in a private and dignified setting that has the look and feel of a real boutique. In every case, the ultimate recipient is a child or teen in need – from newborn to age 19. The clothing is both age- and season-appropriate, fits properly, and boosts the individual’s esteem and confidence.
