As inflation drives up the cost of school supplies, families are feeling the financial strain more than ever. According to the 2023 Deloitte Back to School (BTS) survey, BTS is now the second largest spending event for families. With prices rising by 23.7% over the past two years, many families are overwhelmed by these expenses.
The Austin Shelter for Women and Children and The Rathgeber Center for Families, both operated by The Salvation Army in Travis County, offer essential resources to help families move toward stability. Each summer, a Back-to-School drive is organized to ensure that children living at these shelters can start their school year prepared and confident.
“The kids are actually excited to go back to school with all of their new school supplies and backpack,” said Autumn Landau, Residential Service Director at The Rathgeber Center. “When they receive their backpack, they love posing with it on.” These simple gifts can significantly boost students’ self-esteem as they begin their educational journey.
Community involvement is crucial in gathering the necessary supplies for this initiative. Supporters can participate by shopping from Amazon and Walmart wish lists or making monetary donations. Additionally, individuals can organize a drive through their company, church, or organization.
For further information on organizing drives or other inquiries, please contact [email protected].
