How to Prepare for Back-to-School

As summer draws to a close, it’s time once again to prepare for Back-to-School!

Rising Costs of School Supplies in 2014

Starting a new school year brings excitement for kids ready to reunite with friends and step into a new grade. However, it can also bring stress for many parents and teachers, particularly when it comes to providing essential school supplies. When students arrive prepared, they are better equipped to focus on learning, aligning with campaigns like Walmart’s “Supply them for Success.”

Despite seasonal sales at stores like Staples, Target, and Kohl’s, the cost of school supplies continues to rise. Huntington Bank’s annual Backpack Index shows that parents should expect to spend up to 9% more this year on back-to-school preparation:

• $649 for elementary school children (a 1% increase compared to 2014)
• $941 for middle school children (a 2.5% increase compared to 2014)
• $1,402 for high school students (a significant 9% jump compared to 2014)

Assistance Programs and Support for Families

If these costs seem overwhelming, there are many programs available to assist. Ensuring children have the right supplies creates a better learning environment. We at PAC Worldwide want to support families in preparing their students for success. If you missed our recent Instagram contest for a backpack, pencils, and a $50 Visa gift card, there’s still help available through Hopelink, which offers school supplies to qualifying families in the Seattle area. Donations are also welcomed to provide needed items like graph paper, large scissors, calculators, and USB flash drives.

It’s also important to recognize the efforts of teachers who, like those served by Crayons to Computers in Ohio, often go above and beyond to provide supplies for their students. Crayons to Computers serves 305 schools in Ohio and, thanks to support from organizations like PAC Worldwide, distributes around $12 million worth of school supplies annually. Yet, the need continues, and donations remain vital.

To learn more about how you can make a difference, feel free to contact us at [email protected] or by phone at 1.800.535.0039. Wishing you and your family a successful start to the school year!