NJRC Back-to-School Backpack Giveaway – Passaic County
New Jersey Reentry Corporation Presents
Back-to-School Backpack Giveaway Series
The New Jersey Reentry Corporation (NJRC) is proud to host three Back-to-School Backpack Giveaway events to provide free backpacks and school supplies to children whose parents have been incarcerated, are in recovery from addiction, or are veterans.
Each event is designed to be welcoming, family-friendly, and engaging for children and their families.
Event Highlights
- Free backpacks and school supplies
- Free reading books donated by Scholastic
- Free hot dogs and ice cream
- Family-friendly activities
- Participation by local police and fire departments
- Opportunity to explore a fire truck (where available)
Essex County
Date: Tuesday, August 18, 2026
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Location: NJRC Newark Reentry Center, 936–938 Bergen Street, Newark, NJ
Contact:
Jennifer Pena
jpena@njreentry.org
973-982-6888
Passaic County
Date: Thursday, August 20, 2026
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Location: Paterson Museum, 2 Market Street, Paterson, NJ
Contact:
Jada Fulmore
jfulmore@njreentry.org
973-982-6540
Hudson County
Date: Saturday, August 22, 2026
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Location: Sims Metal, 1 Linden Avenue, Jersey City, NJ
Contact:
Lacey Ann Francis
lfrancis@njreentry.org
551-220-4472
Backpacks and school supplies will be distributed while supplies last.
Special thanks to our community partners, including St. Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Christ the King Catholic Church, Sims Limited, Chase, Fidelis Care, RWJBarnabas Health, the Paterson Museum, Scholastic, and participating local police and fire departments for helping students start the school year ready to learn.