Our Objective is to improve the lives of children and break the cycle of poverty by providing classroom supplies, new clothing and nutritious, kid-friendly food.
We currently run three programs aimed at fulfilling this mission: Tools 4 Schools, Kids Closet & BackPack Program. Read on to learn more about our programs, check out our Kids Division Hall of Fame, and to contact us!
kids closet
Our Kids Closet program provides new clothing, free of charge, to children in need throughout New Jersey. Partner agencies of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey may request clothing twice a year for children they serve. Dedicated volunteers and staff members assemble clothing packages of three to five new outfits (and a new winter coat with winter items during colder months) for each child in need.
Every item distributed through the Kids Closet’s is donated. While much of our stock comes from clothing manufacturers, clothing retailers and our sponsors, many individuals and community groups also donate or hold new clothing drives. Donated funds are also happily accepted and greatly appreciated.
Kids Closet Most Needed Items List:
New children’s clothing between sizes 4T and 14 (both boys and girls—especially current season)
Michael & Denise Jeffries donated nearly 300 brand new winter coats to our Kids Closet and sponsored an entire school for the year through our Backpack Program!
Most Valuable Volunteers
Students from Lafayette Avenue School in Chatham, NJ had a great time volunteering in our Kids Closet and Tools 4 Schools Resource Center. They were able to help children their own age receive new clothing and school supplies!
Grateful Recipients
During the 2006-2007 school year, our Tools 4 Schools program distributed 11,104 books, 1,513 backpacks, 3,934 notebooks, 2,775 packs of pencils, and 5,279 boxes of crayons, free of charge, to teachers in nearly 160 schools in New Jersey.
The Children’s Place recently gave our Kids Closet a complete makeover! This generous company donated new shelving, clothing and gift certificates, and also had many employees volunteer to organize our warehouse. We cannot thank The Children’s Place enough for all of their support!
tools 4 schools
Our Tools 4 Schools program provides free classroom supplies through our Tools 4 Schools Resource Center, our free classroom supply store for teachers. Teachers from participating schools may shop for free twice each school year for supplies. We are currently serving nearly 160 schools and educational programs in Newark, Elizabeth, Irvington, Hillside, Paterson, Plainfield, Atlantic City, Pleasantville, Bridgeton, and Millville.
The Resource Center is stocked by staff members and hard-working volunteers, and all of our supplies are donated. While many of our items come from supply manufacturers, supply retailers and our sponsors, many individuals and community groups also donate items or hold supply drives. Donated funds are also happily accepted and greatly appreciated - click here to visit the Tools 4 Schools donation page.
Most Needed Items:
Pencils
Notebooks
Backpacks
Copy Paper
ATTENTION TEACHERS!
If your school or program is enrolled and you would like to request a shopping appointment, use our online Appointment Request Form! APPOINTMENT REQUESTS ARE NOT ACCEPTED BY TELEPHONE.
Not sure if your school/program is enrolled?Contact us to find out! Your school/program must be located in one of the following districts: Newark, Elizabeth, Irvington, Hillside, Paterson or Plainfield.
backpack program
Our BackPack Program provides backpacks full of supplemental nutritious, kid-friendly food to children who are “food insecure” over the weekend. When a child is “food insecure,” he or she is at great risk of going hungry. To combat this problem, food packages are delivered weekly to participating schools where staff members distribute them in backpacks, which are also donated by our program. The children may keep these backpacks for personal use. During the 2006-2007 school year, we served nearly 500 students per week in 21 schools located in Newark, Elizabeth, Piscataway, and Atlantic City. Overall, we provided 10,800 packages of weekend food to children in need.
The Resource Center is stocked by staff members and hard-working volunteers, and all of our supplies are donated. While many of our items come from supply manufacturers, supply retailers and our sponsors, many individuals and community groups also donate items or hold supply drives. Donated funds are also happily accepted and greatly appreciated - 
Our BackPack Program provides backpacks full of supplemental nutritious, kid-friendly food to children who are “food insecure” over the weekend. When a child is “food insecure,” he or she is at great risk of going hungry. To combat this problem, food packages are delivered weekly to participating schools where staff members distribute them in backpacks, which are also donated by our program. The children may keep these backpacks for personal use. During the 2006-2007 school year, we served nearly 500 students per week in 21 schools located in Newark, Elizabeth, Piscataway, and Atlantic City. Overall, we provided 10,800 packages of weekend food to children in need.
