On Wednesday, August 31, 2022, the International WeLoveU Foundation visited Empowerment Academy Charter School in Jersey City, NJ, for an exciting back-to-school event in partnership with Goya and Staples. The WeLoveU volunteers from Belleville hand-delivered 150 backpacks and 650 school supply kits provided by Staples. The kits included folders, notebooks, and pencils. Since back-to-school shopping can often place a heavy financial burden on families, the donation aimed to provide students with the essentials needed to start the school year successfully.

School leadership, legislatures, and council members joined the donation ceremony to share words of gratitude and hope. Principal Suzanne Carbone expressed, “To the Chairwoman of the WeLoveU Foundation, thank you so much from the bottom of my heart. I hope that WeLoveU will continue to be our partner since the students have such a wonderful feeling about WeLoveU. I hope that they also grow up to be volunteers with you.”

Legislative District 31 Assemblywoman Angela V. McKnight also thanked the WeLoveU Foundation, saying, “Thank you so much for helping our children.” Lastly, Jersey City Councilwoman Denise Ridley brought attention to the volunteers’ efforts saying, “I would like to thank the WeLoveU volunteers for coming out today and making sure that our Jersey City kids are well prepared for the school year.”

Following the speakers’ remarks, volunteers distributed the backpacks to the students, who accepted them with bright smiles. The students prepared cheers for the volunteers and performed them after the donation. This back-to-school supply delivery was part of WeLoveU’s education program, Closing the Homework Gap: Packs on Backs and Tools for Schools. The Empowerment Academy Charter School was one of several schools that WeLoveU helped with the Packs on Backs project. WeLoveU will continue to work towards closing the income and achievement gap, bringing a hopeful future to both students and educators across the globe.