Walmart School Supplies – Getting ready for new education year in school? Needless to say, school supplies might be one of the first things you would think of. That being said, many parents find themselves in a difficult situation because the supply cost is pretty high. According to recent statistics, the average school supplies can cost around $1,000 for high school students. Some other sites even claim that the average is close to $1,500.
The later number came from Huntington Bank, through their Backpack index survey report. Not only that, but they also release some numbers related to the cost of supply for elementary and middle school students. According to the report, parents of middle schoolers spend almost $1,000. Meanwhile, parents of elementary students spend almost $650 on the supplies.
Walmart Back to School Supplies
One of the most visited stores for this kind of supply is Walmart. Spread widely in the United States, Walmart recognizes the need for supplies and constantly provide some discount programs during the new school year. They even launched a program that asks the student to recommend one of their teachers to receive some kind of a gift card. However, apparently, some teachers criticized the gift card program for some reason. They even encourage everyone not to spend their hard-earned money on Walmart for school supplies. Since we’re not focusing on that matter, we’ll leave the story for another time. Point is, there’s no current Walmart program that can provide free school supplies.
Did you know that there are many other possibilities that can actually help you to get that much-needed school supplies for a cheap price or even for free? Below are some of the alternatives you might want to try:
Kids in Need Foundation
This organization is by far the biggest organization that attends to the school supplies needs of children in the United States. Almost 5 million students from financially needy families received their help last year through the School Ready Supplies Program. The foundation works together with the teachers to provide free school supplies, so parents or schools cannot ask for the supplies themselves.
Clothing Swap
You might be able to find yourself good clothing for your kid through this kind of program, which is often available in your local area. They are usually administered by local parenting groups, and the only requirement for you to be eligible for the program is to bring your own kids clothes (gently used). Use Google search engine or Facebook events search to find such a program. There’s also swap.com, a website that facilitates such service.
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army through their local chapter sometimes provides some help for parents who are having trouble dealing with the high cost of school supplies. Since the SA is a non-profit organization, this kind of service really depends on the amount of donation and funding they receive and also the work of volunteers. For more information on the Salvation Army’s back to school assistance program, find their local chapter in your area.
Operation Homefront
The organization focuses on military families, and for school supplies, they have the Back to School Brigade program. If you are from a military family, you can receive free school supplies through the Operation Homefront events.
Craigslist
Last but not least, you can try to find some freebies on Craigslist. Open Craigslist in your city and go to the For Sale section. There’s a “Free” checkbox there, click on it. After that, you can search for free items, including school supplies. While it is kind of hard to find free school supplies during normal school days, but you can expect some businesses or people offer promotions and giveaways.
United Way
United Way organizations across the country organize annual back-to-school drives to gather and distribute free school supplies to families facing financial difficulties. You can contact your local United Way chapter to learn how you can participate in or benefit from a back-to-school drive in your area.
Boys & Girls Clubs of America
The Boys & Girls Clubs of America collaborate with various national retailers to gather and distribute school supplies to families in need. You can reach out to your local Boys & Girls Clubs chapter to learn more about how these collections can assist your family.
Operation Homefront’s Back to School Brigade
Operation Homefront’s Back to School Brigade provides free backpacks and school supplies to military families through events held nationwide. You can check the Back to School Brigade schedule to find an event near you and take advantage of this opportunity.
Local Churches and Community Centers
Local churches and community centers, including organizations like the Red Cross and YMCA, often provide support to families in need during the back-to-school season. Keep an eye out for announcements from these organizations, as they may offer assistance programs.
For example, the YMCA of Greater Houston hosts Operation Backpack annually, offering free school supplies for children in need. These organizations often notify local media about their planned fundraisers and events. So, staying informed through news sources can help you find out about upcoming opportunities for assistance.
Other Options
If you’re unable to find assistance in your community, you might consider organizing a school supplies drive yourself. KINF provides a School Supply Drive Toolkit. This offers valuable tips for success, including guidance on collecting supplies, engaging volunteers, and distributing donations. Additionally, organizations like United Way and the Salvation Army offer toolkits to help you host your own drive. These resources can empower you to make a positive impact in your hometown and support students in need.
Why Do You Need Affordable School Supplies?
Back-to-school shopping can be a significant financial burden for families. According to the National Retail Federation, the average family expects to spend around $890 on back-to-school items this year. With expenses for clothes, backpacks, and school supplies, the costs quickly add up.
Unfortunately, many families struggle to afford even the basic necessities for their students. Lt. Colonel Ward Matthews, The Salvation Army’s National Secretary for Community Relations and Development, highlights this issue. Noting that nearly 15 million children live in low-income or impoverished households. For these families, purchasing every item on the school supply list can be challenging. They may be forced to make difficult decisions, such as choosing between buying school supplies, groceries, paying the electric bill, or getting needed prescriptions.
References:
- Walmart Back to School Deals 2016 – http://www.passionforsavings.com/weekly-ad/walmart-back-to-school-deals/
- Swap.com – Online Consignment – Back to School – https://www.swap.com/back-to-school/?PID=4003003&ref=cj&utm_source=cj&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=cj-2470763-4003003&CID=2470763
- Image: corporate.walmart.com
- https://www.care.com/c/7-ways-to-get-free-school-supplies/
