On Friday, September 2, 2022, more than 30 volunteers from the International WeLoveU Foundation in Bergen County, NJ, partnered with the Newark Board of Education to deliver 200 backpacks to the students of Technology High School. Around 150 students and their families attended the donation ceremony to receive the tools needed for a successful start of the school year. In attendance were Senator Teresa Ruiz, Newark Board of Education Superintendent Roger León, Newark North Ward Councilman Anibal Ramos, and Technology High School Principal Edwin Reyes.

More Than Just Backpacks and School Supplies

The donation ceremony took place at Technology High School. Backpacks and school supplies like notebooks, pens, paper, folders, and pencils were distributed to students. In addition to the donations, there was time to hear from the event organizers and city and school officials.

“It’s not just about the backpack — it’s about supporting families. Being able to provide something for families to get the school year started on the right foot is something that’s extremely important,” said Edwin Reyez, principal of Technology High School. “We’re supporting our families, so this program means a lot not only to me but also to our school.” 

Alex Post, WeLoveU’s director of global partnerships said, “We are here today to support our schools and students. We all know that the past few years have not been easy. All of us, including students, parents, and educators, are still feeling the rippling effects of the pandemic. We are feeling it in different ways through the increase in the cost of living and the struggling economy. To help alleviate the burden on families even just a little bit, WeLoveU is here today to support our students and schools. We hope you realize that this event goes beyond school supplies and that we support you and are cheering you on!”

Closing the Gap Together

The donation is part of WeLoveU’s education program, Closing the Homework Gap: Packs on Backs & Tools for Schools. In 2022, the campaign will help more than 3,300 students in nine schools across the country receive new backpacks and school supplies. The end of summer is when most families do their back-to-school shopping, and this is a time that often places a heavy financial burden on parents. The goal of the project is to alleviate the financial impact families in under-resourced communities face during back-to-school shopping. Research shows back-to-school supply spending increased 22% since 2019, and school supply prices increased between 15-30% since inflation hit a 41-year high. In addition, schools are expanding their school supply lists because of the coronavirus pandemic. 

Superintendent Roger León and Senator Teresa Ruiz thanked the WeLoveU Foundation for their efforts in delivering the backpacks. Senator Ruiz reminisced about the last school donation WeLoveU carried out and its impact together with Closing the Homework Gap. She expressed, “Thank you for the past Chromebook initiative done with the WeLoveU Foundation at the beginning of the pandemic. Thank you to those showing up again in the greatest, largest, and best city not only in this state but also in this country. This is the place I call home, the place where I am raising my daughter here in the City of Newark.”

This event put many smiles on the children’s and parents’ faces, as they felt supported and prepared for the start of a good education this school year.