Columbia, SC (WLTX) - With back to school shopping season approaching, WLTX wanted to know where parents and families could turn to get help with back to school supplies.
WLTX talked with two local groups making an effort to help students get back to school with loaded backpacks.
Pens, pencils and notebooks are just a few of the items students across the Midlands will need in the coming weeks as school begins in August.
On average, parents spend more than $500 on back to school supplies, according to recent studies.
A Deloitte study for the 2018 school year estimated that parents will spend an average of $510.
In July of 2017, Huntington Bank’s Backpack Index estimated that between back to school supplies and school fees, parents would spend more than $660 for elementary school children. Huntington says they look at school supply lists from eight states, along with school fees, and combines them based on ‘moderately priced items at online retailers.’
The high cost is why Salvation Army in Columbia is accepting donations for school supplies through August 10th.
“Every school supply item that we give out is a donation from the community, so the folks are donating backpacks, crayons, pencils, you name it, they're giving it and that's what really makes it possible,” public affairs official Sarah Newcomb said.
The Salvation Army Operation School Supplies is hoping to help 200 families that have registered for help.
Even though registration is close, parents can call the Salvation Army and the group will determine if they can help on a case by case basis.
The phone number is (803) 765-0260, but Newcomb said any parents that call will be evaluated on an emergency need basis. Help for those families would also depend on the amount of donations the Salvation Army receives.
If you’re interested in donating to the Salvation Army Operation School Supplies, you can drop off backpacks, colored pencils, notebooks, index cards, pens, markers and other supplies at Salvation Army Center for Worship and Service on Farrow Road.
You also can drop off supplies at any Midlands area Coldwell Banker until August 10th.
“Starting a new school year without the right supplies can be pretty embarrassing for a kid going into school, and to have the opportunity to have the right supplies and have the new supplies coming in not only gives them confidence to start the new school year, but it also, it gives them the tools to kind of succeed,” Newcomb said.
On Sunday August 5th, you can take a trip to the baseball diamond to get ready for school.
The organization YNotU2 will hand out free backpacks and supplies at Spirit Communications Park.
YNotU2 leader Kimani Davis said they're trying to keep kids from at-risk situations.
“This is an event that we actually started in order to give the kids a better chance with school and have the parents not with the heavy burden of paying for school supplies,” Davis said.
Davis explained that his organization started to serve disadvantaged job-seekers, but he learned that helping at-risk youth at an earlier age could maybe prevent other problems down the road.
This is the third year of their ‘First Day Festival’ held at the ballpark.
Davis said they’re hoping to give supplies to 1,500-2,000 students on Sunday. If you’re interested in donating more supplies, you can check out their Facebook page.
The event will be held from 2-5pm on Sunday, August 5. The park is located on Freed Drive in Columbia, admission for students and families is free.
WLTX also reached out to Richland One school district to see if the district recommended any agencies or organizations that help those in need find school supplies. District employee Karen York sent the following statement:
“I contacted our Student Support Services department. They said there are no particular agencies that they refer parents to for help with school supplies, but several local churches have back-to-school bashes and other events where they give away school supplies. They compile a list of those events and share that info with parents who need such assistance. We also have various organizations that contact the district because they have held school supply drives and want to donate the items to our students. Our school social workers help to identify the students who would benefit the most from those donations.”