The Sharing Shelf gets students all packed up and ready to learn
August 14, 2024 at 11:25 p.m.
Sara Krusekopf, a Halstead Avenue resident, is all smiles as she stuffs a few notebooks into a backpack held by Stephanie Gonzalez of Briarcliff Manor on Saturday, Aug. 10. The ladies are among around 50 volunteers helping at The Sharing Shelf at 47 Purdy Ave. during the community packing day for the non-profit’s annual “Backpacks to School” initiative. (Sarah Wolpoff/Westmore News)
Before bags get cleared for donation, Halstead Avenue resident Kusha Mohammadi transports each one to the quality check station—the last stop on the backpack packing assembly line. This year, The Sharing Shelf will be distributing 1,850 bags filled with school supplies to Westchester children in need. (Sarah Wolpoff/Westmore News)
Demonstrating efficiency, Larchmont resident Sasha Shapiro carries two backpacks through the assembly line that will eventually be in the hands of high schoolers in the county. (Sarah Wolpoff/Westmore News)
In the rear of the Purdy Avenue warehouse, a group of children circle around their own packing table to stuff pouches with various school supplies. (Sarah Wolpoff/Westmore News)
The Sharing Shelf Executive Director Deborah Blatt (left) and Assistant Director for Volunteers and Community Engagement Karina Tarnawsky wheel a cart of supplies to the packers. Blatt said every year Backpacks to School serves at least one student from every school district in Westchester, and this year, the non-profit is seeking monetary donations as they’re $20,000 under their goal to fund the initiative. To donate, go to sharingshelf.org (Sarah Wolpoff/Westmore News)
Volunteers fill 1,850 backpacks to donate to students through Backpacks to School initiative
