Ocean State Job Lot Charitable Foundation Distributes 30,000 Backpacks to Children in Need as Back-to-School Season Starts
Annual Buy-Give-Get program has provided more than 265,000 backpacks since inception
NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. – (August 21, 2025) – Ocean State Job Lot (OSJL), the region’s premier discount retail chain with 176 stores across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, is pleased to announce that its Charitable Foundation has distributed 30,000 school backpacks to children in need ahead of the new school year. The Ocean State Job Lot Charitable Foundation (OSJLCF), in partnership with multiple community organizations from Maine to Delaware, including Provision Ministry and Guardians of Faith in Worcester, Massachusetts, the Salvation Army of Boston, Project Undercover, Community Angels of Rhode Island, American Legion and Rotary locations in various states, The Rhode Island State Police, Philadelphia VA Services, and multiple other community organizations, delivered pallets of backpacks for local organizations to share directly with families.
The effort is part of OSJL’s annual Buy-Give-Get program, made possible in part by generous customer donations. Since the program’s inception, more than 265,000 backpacks have been donated to children, including children of military families throughout the region. Through the Buy-Give-Get program, customers purchase a designated Buy-Give-Get item and receive a Crazy Deal Gift Card in the amount of the purchase price, effectively making the donation at no cost to them. This unique model not only removes financial barriers to giving but also fosters a spirit of generosity, creating a win-win for donors and recipients alike.
“Back-to-school season can be stressful for many families, and a simple backpack stocked and ready for the classroom makes a real difference in a child’s preparation for the year,” said David Sarlitto, Vice President of Corporate Giving, Ocean State Job Lot. “Thanks to the generosity of our customers and the efficiency of our community partners, we’re getting essential supplies where they’re needed most, quickly and at scale.”
The Foundation coordinates shipments of pallets to trusted nonprofits, schools, and faith-based organizations that serve local families. Partners handle neighborhood-level distribution, ensuring backpacks reach students efficiently and with dignity.
This effort reflects OSJLCF’s ongoing commitment to supporting children and families year-round through in-kind donations, logistics support, and partnerships with frontline organizations.
About Ocean State Job Lot:
Founded in 1977, Ocean State Job Lot (OSJL) is a growing, privately held discount retail chain with 176 stores in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware, nearly 7,000 employees, and annual sales exceeding $850 million. OSJL shoppers find an ever-changing array of brand-name, first-quality merchandise at closeout prices, including household goods, apparel, pet supplies, seasonal products (holiday, gardening, patio, pool and beach supplies), and kitchen pantry staples at a fraction of their typical price.
The company was named a five-time “Best Employer” by Forbes® Magazine*, a five-time U.S. Best Managed Company by Deloitte, one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Parents & Families 2024 by Newsweek, a four-time winner of the Inspiring Workplaces in North America Award, and a Global Top 100 Inspiring Workplaces winner. Ocean State Job Lot is not affiliated with Forbes®.
The Ocean State Job Lot Charitable Foundation has a long history of philanthropic leadership, supporting numerous causes, including feeding the hungry, helping the homeless, assisting veterans and military families, aiding animal rescue, caring for children, advancing healthcare, supporting the arts, and promoting learning. The Foundation’s operational, administrative and overhead expenses are covered by Ocean State Job Lot, not the Foundation, ensuring that 100% of every dollar raised through the Foundation goes directly to helping those in need.
Ocean State Job Lot is headquartered in Quonset Point Business Park at 375 Commerce Park Road, North Kingstown, RI 02852. Phone: 401-295-2672. Website: www.oceanstatejoblot.com
