As the new school year approaches, families in the Green Bay area are facing the daunting task of preparing their children with all the necessary supplies. Fortunately, four local non-profits came together to create the ‚One Stop School Shop‘ event, providing thousands of students with free supplies such as pencils, markers, backpacks, shoes, socks, and underwear. This initiative aimed to alleviate the financial burden on families and ensure that every child has the tools they need to succeed in the upcoming school year.
Becky Darrow, Director of Social Services for the Salvation Army of Greater Green Bay, highlighted the importance of such events, especially for families who are experiencing financial difficulties for the first time. „We’re seeing families who haven’t needed any of those financial resources before really strapped,“ she said. The ‚One Stop School Shop‘ event was a blessing for many families who were struggling to make ends meet and provide for their children’s educational needs.
Despite the assistance provided by the event, parents are well aware that the cost of school supplies can quickly add up. Tiffany Marshall, a resident of Green Bay, shared her experience of still having to spend around $50-100 on school supplies, even with the help from the event. As students progress into middle school, the expenses tend to increase, especially with the need for more expensive items like calculators.
According to data from the National Retail Federation, families with children in elementary through high school are expected to spend an average of roughly $875 on back-to-school shopping this year. This figure includes expenses on clothes, shoes, school supplies, and electronics. While this amount is slightly lower than last year’s record high projection of $890, it still represents a significant financial commitment for many families.
To put the cost of school supplies into perspective, FOX 11 used Target’s School Supplies List Assist to estimate the expenses for a fourth-grade student at Chappell Elementary in Green Bay. The total cost for 34 items, including notebooks, pencils, colored pencils, a three-ring binder, markers, folders, glue sticks, a backpack, and headphones, came to approximately $145. This breakdown highlights the financial strain that back-to-school shopping can place on families, especially those with multiple children.
Despite the challenges of back-to-school shopping, events like the ‚One Stop School Shop‘ play a crucial role in supporting families in need. Tiffany Marshall expressed her gratitude for the assistance, particularly for more expensive items like shoes and backpacks. „Backpacks can get very expensive, shoes, you know, they’re pricey,“ she noted. Christine Burkholder also emphasized the importance of such initiatives, describing them as „very special and very helpful“ for all children in the community.
In conclusion, the ‚One Stop School Shop‘ event in Green Bay exemplifies the power of collaboration and community support in ensuring that every child has access to the resources they need to succeed in school. By alleviating the financial burden on families and providing essential supplies, non-profits are making a tangible difference in the lives of students and their families. As the new school year approaches, it is heartening to see the community coming together to support those in need and create a brighter future for all children.