According to a national survey of 582 parents earlier this summer, more than half of moms and dads with kids in the K-12 public education system feel overwhelmed by spending requests from their children’s schools.
To prepare for September, when classes start again, they’re planning to spend $531, on average, which is somewhat less than last year, according to the consumer advocacy organization NerdWallet. But not because prices have dropped. It’s a function of economic stressors, now felt even among families of means, who are cutting back.
About 19% of parents surveyed will buy some back-to-school clothing secondhand. And more than a third said their kids would likely miss out on at least one school activity this year, due to concerns about cost.
Now imagine how these trends look to families on the margins, particularly those without stable housing.
Every summer, to ensure that children in need don’t worry about having money for school clothes or supplies, readers of The Seattle Times have generously contributed to The Times’ annual School Supplies Fundraising Drive.
It’s underway now, and every dime collected will be divided among three groups that work with families who are homeless or in danger of becoming so: the Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness; YWCA Seattle-King-Snohomish; and on the East Side, Hopelink. They use the donations for gift cards that families can use to buy new clothes, and they hand out backpacks stuffed full of fresh school supplies.
Since 1999, when the school supplies fundraising drive began, it has collected over $1 million and helped to set up tens of thousands of students for success. Last summer, 708 generous readers contributed more than $152,000 to help families get kids ready for class.
One of the programs funded by these donations is Arcadia in Auburn, which serves youth and young adults as part of the Y Social Impact Center, and plans to hand out 100 backpacks with supplies tailored for middle and high school students.
“Many of the young people who come through our doors face significant barriers,” said Ann Beasley, a program director at Arcadia. A new backpack filled with school supplies represents more than mere tools for classroom success, she said. “It helps foster confidence, dignity, and a sense of belonging as they begin a new academic year.”
This year’s School Supplies Fundraising Drive continues through Labor Day.
How to help: The School Supplies Drive is part of The Seattle Times Fund For Those in Need, a registered 501(c)(3) Charitable Organization. The easiest way to donate is online at st.news/schoolsupplies. Checks may also be sent to: The Seattle Times School Supplies Drive, P.O. Box C-11025, Seattle, WA 98111; email questions to ffn@seattletimes.com.
