The dog days of summer are dwindling, and schools are preparing for the return of their students. Children of all ages are getting ready, be it with new clothes, new backpacks, or even a new lunch box. Bring on those ‘Back to School!’ sales and tax-free days!
But even with the advantages of special sales and discounts, both parents and teachers alike have difficulties with being able to afford the costs of school items.
Not every family is capable of providing their children with the items they need for the new school year. There are times when they have to choose between either paying rent, providing food for their families, or buying school supplies. Usually, it’s the school supplies that get passed over, and even when this isn’t exactly the case sometimes the list of what a student is required to have can be overwhelming. It’s not just notebooks and pencils anymore! Now it can consist of binders, folders, crayons, markers, glue, scissors, and calculators.
The numbers!
The National Retail Federation has stated that according to a recent survey, parents of elementary age to high school age children will spend nearly $700, amounting in almost $30 billion in all.
Families aren’t the only ones that struggle though; teachers are also confronted with their own set of challenges. They deal with budget cuts and lack of school funding, and at times this leaves them no choice but to spend their own money to be able to provide their students with everything that they need to succeed in the school year.
According to an article in The New York Times, a shocking “94 percent of public school teachers in the United States reported paying for supplies without reimbursement in the school year that straddled 2014 and 2015.” From out of their own pocket these teachers spent nearly $500 to over a $1,000. The article also noted that the percentage did not differentiate from where the schools were located, nor the financial situations of the students.
Sadly this isn’t anything new, and this is an ongoing problem that seems to have no end in sight. There are ways that both families and teachers have found to make it through each school year, be it through donation programs or fundraisers.
You can help.
Do you want to help make a difference, but are not sure where to start? Want the members of your company be able to give-back to this worthy cause? Your group will love one of our team building programs that benefit children and schools. We offer We Care for Schools™, Build-a-Guitar®, and Kids Rock!™ These three corporate donation programs cater to schools and children in need and are an excellent way to have your group show their appreciation for educational providers, students, and administrators. All the items built will be donated to a local children’s organization, charity or school.
Check out the areas that offer tax-free shopping here!
