Sep 9, 2016

Giving Back Meets Back-to-School

Not too long ago, parents were stocking up on school supplies for the new school year. But for many, it isn’t that easy, and back-to-school season presents financial challenges for families around the globe. Federation, through our overseas partner, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), and other Jewish organizations, made sure that two dozen Ukrainian families received backpacks full of school supplies for their children. Following a recent joyful Shabbat celebration, the Hesed social welfare center in Kharkov distributed the bags. Annual Federation/UJA Campaign support enables Hesed to provide an array of social services for thousands of isolated, needy Jews across Ukraine.

In years past, the project involved standing in front of school supply stores and encouraging shoppers to donate. This year’s effort marshaled the collective resources of Kharkov’s Jewish community. Information about the campaign was delivered via phone calls, e-mails and social media messages, encouraging locals to donate funds to a bank card, which was then used to buy the backpacks and fill them with everything the children needed for school.

Elena, a single mother of three, has been a Hesed client since 2012. Both her oldest and youngest children have been disabled since birth. She lives alone with her three boys in a two-bedroom apartment. “This volunteer project to give families like ours backpacks and school supplies will help my son’s confidence,” Elena said. “Now, he’ll feel more ready to join school and have a bright and happy experience there.”