It’s time for kids to go back to school and, for parents, that can mean spending a lot of money on school supplies.

“The average cost of, you know, just getting basic school supplies is about $250 per child,” said Kathleen Rivera, chief development and communications officer at the Child Center of New York. “You can imagine with the economic toll on our families, as well as increased inflation, supply chain issues — just trying to find the supplies at a reasonable cost is taking quite a toll on our families,”

The Child Center of New York hopes to make things a little easier by handing out fully stocked backpacks to children taking part in its programs at over fifty locations throughout the city.

“We’re really trying to help alleviate some of that stress so that each child can start their first day of school with excitement and confidence,” Rivera said.

What You Need To Know

  • With inflation high, going back to school is causing parents to spend more money than in previous years on school supplies

  • One local organization is trying to help with a backpack drive

  • A national survey found that only 36 percent of families said they could afford back-to-school shopping with no issues, down from 52 percent in 2021

It also takes a big burden off parents, like mom of six Kristin Adams.

“It was a huge help because like on average, I spend at least at least $200 per kid on school supplies — and the list, they’re just getting longer and longer,” Adams said.

And the items on the list have gotten more expensive. A national survey this summer by the data company Morning Consult found that only 36 percent of families said they could afford back-to-school shopping with no issues, down from 52 percent in 2021.

“Clothes are through the roof. The sneakers are like almost the same price as mine. Like everything. The price is just totally up,” Adams said.

“With two kids out of five that’s still in school, it’s costing,” Christine Williams, a mom from Far Rockaway, agreed.

But thanks to The Child Center, her soon-to-be-seventh-grader son, Christian, has a full backpack.

“Notebooks, folders, pencils, pens, rulers,” Christian said.

“Loose leaf paper, spiral notebooks. Yeah — the works, and that helps,” his mom added.

Anyone who wants to help can make a donation to cover the cost of a backpack.

“For a donation of $35, you will, you know, make sure that one child has a backpack fully stocked in their, you know, in their hands,” Rivera said.

To donate, visit childcenterny.org/backpack.