Backpacks Sought For Hartford County Students Through July 25

Jewish Family Services of Greater Hartford

WEST HARTFORD, CT — A West Hartford-based social services agency serving several towns in the area is looking to collect as many backpacks as possible for the new school year.

Jewish Family Services of Greater Hartford, which serves children and families throughout Hartford County, is holding its 11th annual Back-to-School Drive to help local students in need "start the school year with confidence and pride."

The drive, which started on Monday, lasts through Friday, July 25, with three local drop-off locations and two online giving options.

“Our goal is to fill more than 180 backpacks with basic supplies for students in grades pre-K through 12,” said JFS Chief Executive Officer Katie Hanley in a statement.

“It’s easy to take school supplies for granted, but for many of the families we serve, items like notebook paper, pocket folders, pencils, and pens can be hard to afford on top of basic needs like food, clothing, and transportation.”

The drive is a collaboration with the Mandell Jewish Community Center in West Hartford and the PJ Library out of Agawam, Mass., sponsored in part by S&S Worldwide, an educational toy manufacturer out of Colchester.

An Amazon wish list is available at bit.ly/JFSBackToSchool2025 and folks can also purchase items locally and drop them off at the Mandell JCC (335 Bloomfield Ave., West Hartford), the JCC Swim and Tennis Club (4 Duncaster Road, Bloomfield), or the JFS offices at 333 Bloomfield Avenue, Suite A in West Hartford.

To make a financial contribution to the drive, visit givebutter.com/JFSBackToSchool2025.

JFS is an accredited health and human services organization providing culturally responsive basic needs support, mental health counseling, financial coaching, and much more for individuals and families of all races, backgrounds, and abilities across Hartford County.