For the last 13 years, Jewish Family Service (JFS) of Metrowest has coordinated Build-a-Backpack events to provide low-income students in the Framingham and Metrowest area with backpacks of school supplies so they can start the year off with the tools and supplies they need to succeed.

This year, JFS partnered with The Rashi School, Temple Shir Tikva of Wayland, Temple Beth Elohim of Wellesley, the Weston Library and the family of JFS board member and president of the Grossman Companies, Jake Grossman, each hosting a backpack event where participants engaged in tikkun olam by bringing an empty backpack and filled it with necessary school supplies for elementary-aged students.

The Build-a-Backpack events not only supply essential items but also bring families together, fostering a spirit of community support and engagement. These events are part of JFS’ Pathways to Academic Growth, Empowerment and Success (PAGES) initiative. PAGES is a comprehensive program aimed at addressing the academic, social and basic needs of low-income children from immigrant families in Framingham. After these events take place, the filled backpacks are distributed through the JFS/FPS Resource Room, where families can also select seasonal clothing, footwear and personal care items so they can spend their limited financial resources on other necessities such as rent, food and medical care.

This August, JFS set an ambitious goal to double our impact from previous years, and our community rose to the challenge! The students of The Rashi School were determined to increase their donations and, inspired by their initiative, many others followed suit, resulting in 450 backpacks being packed this year. We are also thankful to the many donors who sent contributions through our Amazon Wishlist, which helped offset the total cost of the backpacks.

Since the inception of the Build-a-Backpack program, JFS has donated over 5,000 backpacks to young students at Framingham Public Schools and other children in need in the Metrowest community.

This year, 105 families participated in these events, volunteering their time to support this cause and demonstrating our community’s incredible and generous spirit. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to meeting this vital need!

Special thanks to our hosts—The Rashi School, the Grossman family, Temple Shir Tikva, Temple Beth Elohim and the Weston Library—for providing the spaces for our events. We also extend our deepest gratitude to the volunteers, community partners, donors and current and former board members who made these events possible.

Special shoutouts to:

  • Axie Breen (volunteer photographer)
  • Sheldon Golder (volunteer photographer)
  • Joni Fishman, JFS youth board members Ben Gelber and Ben Myers, and the teens of Rashi Student Leadership
  • JFS board member Rabbi Danny Burkeman of Temple Shir Tikva
  • The Grossman family

Thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s Build-a-Backpack event a resounding success!

Learn how you can partner with JFS to make a meaningful difference in the lives of people who need help the most.

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