Hungry Families Face the Rising Cost of Sending Kids to School

The back-to-school season is both dreaded and anticipated by parents and kids alike. While kids might not enjoy the thought of having to do homework once again, there’s an undeniable excitement in getting to see friends every day. For parents, the school year means more time for work or chores at home – but it’s also a period of financial stress. Backpacks, binders, notebooks and other school essentials can quickly subtract from a family’s food budget.

According the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, back-to-school shopping costs of educational supplies have risen by 9.4% from the last school year. Per household, families are expected to spend nearly $900 on school supplies, with one survey estimating the cost to be over $1,200.

And, on top of that, parents still need to make sure their kids have enough to eat. Kids who aren’t getting adequate nutrition don’t perform as well academically.

Jenny, a mom-of-two from Kentucky, has noticed the steep increase in the cost of school supplies.

“When I was a kid, we could get notebooks for a dime,” she remembers. “Now I’m spending hundreds of dollars.”

Kim is a full-time hair stylist with two kids. Her income depends on other people having money to spend on a haircut. If they don’t, she has to choose where to cut expenses.

“I’m trying to make sure that I keep up with the bills and all of the household needs. My daughter is in school, and I have a two-year-old who needs diapers. So, that’s been a struggle for me,” Kim said.

Jenny and Kim both have to maintain a tight budget. Spending an extra thousand dollars on school supplies means taking away money from somewhere else: groceries, rent, or electricity. But thanks to your support, their families are able to send their kids off to school with full backpacks and fully bellies – without sacrificing other essentials.

Your donations to Feed the Children help support programs like our Food & Essentials Hubs and Backpack-n-Go, that provide school supplies, books and food to those who need it the most. These resources help kids succeed in the classroom while increasing their chances of breaking the cycle of poverty.

All kids deserve to walk into school on the first day with the confidence and the tools they need to thrive. When you donate, children and families receive food and essentials like hygiene items and cleaning supplies, which are not covered by SNAP benefits. This will free up their budget to buy the necessary supplies to go back to school and help children succeed this school year!

You can make a difference this back-to-school season when you partner with Feed the Children.