The Mercy House to give away hundreds of free backpacks, school supplies

Back-to-school giveaway and Italian ice social will be celebrated at three locations

Hundreds of free school supplies — along with sweet treats perfect for cooling down in the hot summer weather — will be provided to students in need at The Mercy House’s Back-to-School Giveaway and Italian Ice Social later this month.

At least 500 backpacks stuffed with pens, crayons, notebooks, and many other classroom necessities will be distributed at The Mercy House’s locations in Newark on Aug. 13, Jersey City on Aug. 15, and Elizabeth on Aug. 16 starting at 11 a.m. These brand-new items will be appropriate for youth in grades pre-K through 12. However, the event will end when supplies run out, so families are encouraged to arrive early.

“School supplies are crucial to a child’s academic success, but many of the families we serve don’t have the resources to afford all that’s required for the classroom,” said Cheryl A. Riley, director of The Mercy House. At this event, we’ll be providing students with everything they need to start the school year off right.”

Mercy House staff and volunteers hold a school supplies giveaway every August, but this year’s will be their largest one yet. It will also be the first to feature Italian ice. Each visiting child and parent will receive a free cup of frozen dessert, which will come in a variety of flavors. Options will include cherry, lemon, blue raspberry, watermelon, pina colada, and chocolate.

“The Mercy House is here to serve people’s needs, and that includes lifting their spirits,” Riley said. “This Italian Ice Social is the latest way we’re bringing joy to their lives. Community members usually come to us for essentials, but this time they’ll get a nice summer treat to enjoy and a happy memory they can take with them.”

Like most Mercy House initiatives, the Back-to-School Giveaway and Italian Ice Social were made possible by Mercy House’s donors. These include many Catholic parishes, with St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Elizabeth, St. Cassian Church in Upper Montclair, and the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Somerville contributing especially large amounts of supplies. Organizations like Siemens in Morristown and the Knights of Columbus, St. Anthony Council #11585 in Wood-Ridge also provided substantial support. The Italian ice was purchased using monetary donations.

Those who wish to help The Mercy House moving forward will have plenty of opportunities to do so. The resource and referral center will host its next event, a Winter Coat Giveaway, in October. Its annual Thanksgiving turkey and Christmas gift giveaways will follow in November and December, respectively. Finally, food donations — which are greatly needed as an influx of new clients has depleted The Mercy House’s shelves over the past year — are always accepted.

Founded in 2018, The Mercy House provides nonperishable food, clothing, baby supplies, furniture, and help finding work and housing for anyone in need. Its three locations in Newark, Jersey City, and Elizabeth serve roughly 300 people weekly. If you would like to volunteer or donate, contact Cheryl A. Riley at cheryl.riley@rcan.org. For more information, visit www.rcan.org/mercy-house/.