Joe Italiano's In Moorestown Participates In Backpack Drive

MOORESTOWN, NJ — Joe Italiano’s Maplewood was one of the Moorestown Mall businesses that participated in a backpack drive for those in need ahead of the school year.

The drive benefitted families that are active in the Camden-based Center for Family Services, which has worked with neighborhood residents, schools, government leaders, corporate partners, and social service providers across the community to improve life in the community for more than 100 years, according to its website.

"Many individuals most affected by the pandemic were just getting by before COVID-19 and are facing greater hardship since,” Joe Italiano’s Maplewood General Manager Chris Curry said. “The elementary-age children of the Camden School District and surrounding areas in need of free backpacks were assisted through this wonderful event organized by the management of the Moorestown Mall, and we are honored to be a part of the cause."

During the backpack drive, which took place in August, Joe Italiano’s provided free backpacks to help ease the burden on people who are seeing escalating prices. Items that typically cost $25 are now going for triple or more.

"Families that have budgetary limitations are now experiencing hardship due to post-pandemic price increases. Our goal is always to help families, not only by providing a fun dining experience where one can enjoy a quality meal, but to give back when we learn of opportunities that really help enrich the local communities we serve," Joe Italiano’s Maplewood General Manager Justin Italiano said.

"Our team is committed to giving back to the community our Mall businesses serve,” Moorestown Mall General Manager Maria Butkovic said. “We are especially proud to help children in our area in need with a good beginning to their school year. We feel Backpacks will provide a foundation for children to begin the school year with pride and self-confidence. We were honored to work with the Center for Family Services to ensure students in our community have the supplies they need for the academic year. Providing the proper resources will allow students to start off the school year on the right foot."

The Moorestown Mall and participating retailers partnered with the Center for Family Services to collect and distribute backpacks and school supplies for students in need. Donation bins were in the mall management office for shoppers to place donated items. Suggested supplies for the drive included:

• Backpacks
• Lunchboxes
• Pens and pencils
• Highlighters
• Colored pencils, crayons, and markers
• Glue sticks
• Folders
• Notebooks
• Loose-leaf paper

"As an organization, we are committed to improving lives and making an impact in the communities we serve beyond what we do for them on a regular basis," Center for Family Services Director of Community Relations Development and Public Relations Marissa Cantu said. "We've identified an issue that we want to play a role in finding a solution for, and we are extremely proud of our team, the volunteers and community partners as the group at the Moorestown Mall for working together to donate new backpacks for school to those who are in need."

"Providing backpacks, especially during a time when so many are in distress, aligns with our belief that we can improve the lives of customers and the well-being of our communities," Center for Family Services Community Engagement Coordinator Natalia Castelan said.

"The COVID-19 pandemic only worsened things for families in our community. Supporting our community never felt better! The backing of caring businesses like Joe Italiano's Maplewood here in our mall during a crisis that has affected many children and families so deeply is truly a lifeline," Cherry Hill Mall Senior Marketing Manager Lisa Wolstromer said. "As life begins to return to some semblance of normal, families are counting on us and our mall partners to provide support through events like this now more than ever."