Jessica Goldberg, Congregation Shaare Emeth

When Jessica was a Girl Scout in elementary school, her troop often volunteered at the Project Backpack warehouse. It was a fun, rewarding time for her, and she would always ask her parents whether she could go back. At Congregation Shaare Emeth’s Mitzvah Day, Jessica’s project of choice was Project Backpack.

Jessica, the daughter of Nancy and Glenn Goldberg of Creve Coeur, realized that the warehouse was not somewhere to look for things for herself, but rather a place to pack items for kids who don’t have much. Project Backpack St. Louis is an organization that helps kids in crisis who have been removed from their homes with few, if any, belongings.

“She has always wanted to help these kids,” Jessica’s mother said. “In her mind, it was a no-brainer to collect books for them for her mitzvah project.” 

It was also Jessica’s love of reading and desire to share that love with kids needing a good book that helped her decide on this project.

Jessica organized two book drives this past fall. The first was at the Scholastic Book Fair at her middle school, Parkway Northeast, which was combined with teacher conference night. Parents and students help fill Jessica’s collection box.

The second was at Congregation Shaare Emeth’s Shirlee Green Preschool. It hosted a Scholastic Book Fair and a grandparent night during which preschool families enjoyed dinner and visited the book fair and Jessica. Prior to this book drive, Jessica took advantage of the Parkway School District’s delayed start time and visited the preschool. She spoke to all the classes, shared a backpack filled by Project Backpack, and explained how it fit in with her mitzvah project. Jessica hoped it would motivate the students and their families to support the upcoming book drive at grandparents’ night.

Jessica felt that these book drives were a win-win for everyone.

“When someone bought a book at the book fair, they helped that school,” she said. “Then, they could drop the book off in my collection box and help Project Backpack! Double mitzvah.”

Jessica collected more than 370 new books, surpassing her initial goal of 100. 

“Since Project Backpack provides backpacks for infants through teens, it was helpful having the two book drives,” she said. “The preschool allowed me to collect books for the younger kids, and the middle school enabled me to collect for the older children.” 

Friends and family who couldn’t come to either book drive donated money, and Jessica spent it at the Scholastic Warehouse to buy more books.

Judy Pearlstone, executive director of Project Backpack, praised Jessica’s project. 

“She recognized that our backpacks were a way of telling the child that someone cares and that they hopefully would start the youngster on a path for a better tomorrow,” Pearlstone said. “Jessica truly understands the meaning of giving of one’s self to help another person in need and she is making a difference.”

Jessica plans to continue volunteering at the Project Backpack warehouse for as long as she can. She is still collecting books and monetary contributions and will arrange to pick up all donations.

Project Backpack’s warehouse is stocked with new backpacks, which are filled with new toys, clothes and books. They are then given to various shelters, schools and other agencies throughout the St. Louis area for distribution.

Mitzvot from the Heart is compiled by Editorial Assistant Elise Krug.