Back-to-school season should be filled with anticipation and excitement. New school supplies – pencils, notepads, backpacks, and colored folders – are a big part of that experience.
But for many children and families in our service area, back-to-school season is stressful. Many families cannot afford new school supplies, let alone put food on the table, especially given today’s rate of inflation and the rising cost of everyday essentials. According to the National Retail Federation, families are expected to spend 40% more on school supplies this fall than in 2019.
From Cradle to Grave
At Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, we believe in treating people with dignity, and that applies to every age group, from cradle to grave.
For the students and families we serve, school supplies are much more than classroom materials. They help children start the first day prepared, confident, and included. Something as simple as a new set of pencils or a new notebook can open a world of possibilities for students. Without access to supplies, they are likely to start the year feeling left behind or singled out, which can lead to myriad issues later on.
Rooted in Self-Dignity
At the core of our mission for more than 80 years has been helping people – regardless of their faith, background, or other external circumstances – achieve self-sufficiency.
This is why we launched our Back-to-School Supply Drive earlier this month, encouraging our community to come together to donate everything from scissors and colored markers to backpacks, three-ring binders, and boxes of crayons. For parents already stretching every dollar, a donated backpack, notebook, or box of crayons can mean one less difficult purchase during an already expensive time of year.
If you have donated, we thank you. If you haven’t, there is still time to drop off supplies at any of our locations in Houston, Richmond, or Galveston, or purchase supplies from the agency’s Amazon Charity List. Or you can donate your time by volunteering to pack backpacks for students.
United for a Common Purpose
The Back-to-School drive is a simple but meaningful way for neighbors, parishes, businesses, and volunteers to stand behind families as they prepare for a new school year and give more children the chance to feel excited about going back to the classroom.
Every donated item fills more than a backpack; it fills children with a year full of possibility. To learn more about the Back-to-School drive, visit www.catholiccharities.org/back-to-school.