Atlanta Journal-Constitution, July 30, 2008: Back to Class: School Costs More and More
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 07/30/08
Headphones. Markers. Notebooks. Graphing calculators. A memory storage flash drive?
Suiting a student up for the new school year these days can be quite an investment when you consider the costs of new clothes, shoes and school supplies. Some parents spend hundreds of dollars on the latest gear and gadgets.
According to the National Retail Federation, the average family will invest $594 on back-to-school purchases, compared to $563 last year. Total back-to-school spending for students k-12 nationally is estimated to reach $20.1 billion.
Some parents, however, just don’t have the cash to spare. Nearly 193,500 families in Gwinnett – about 7.4 percent of the population – live below the poverty level.
“School supplies can be expensive,” said Shirley Cabe, executive director of Norcross Cooperative Ministry, which helps thousands of needy families each year. “If you are already having a hard time keeping the utilities on and food on the table, you certainly can’t afford the extra $30 to $45 to [spend] on a book bag and supplies. But the kids have to have them.”
Norcross Cooperative Ministry and a network of other community service organizations across Gwinnett County are seeking donations of school supplies or money so they can equip needy students with the materials they need for classes. Gift cards also will be distributed by some agencies for families who need help covering the costs of shoes and clothes for school. The annual sales tax holiday, which starts Thursday and continues through Sunday, also will ease the financial burden on families.
Last school year, 64,300 students – 41 percent of Gwinnett County Schools students – qualified for free or reduced lunch because their families suffered economic hardships. Approximately 1,325 students were considered homeless.
Cabe said the Norcross Co-op gave away 500 backpacks filled with supplies last year and would like to match that number this year if contributions allow. On Monday, the Southeast Gwinnett Cooperative Ministry, which serves needy families in Snellville, Grayson and parts of Loganville, opened its doors to families looking for back-to-school assistance. Food supplies at the ministry were dwindling, but they gave what they could.
“Our support base is kind of low,” said Laura Drake, executive director of Southeast Gwinnett Co-op. “But we are telling folks if they will come in with school supply lists, we will give them what we have. We do have clothing and shoes, too.”
Supply lists for elementary and middle school students are posted on school Web sites. The lists also are available at some office suppliers and grocery stores that also are collecting supplies for poor children.
Gwinnett Schools parents can purchase and donate school supplies online through the Schools Supplies Network, a service partnership offered at some Gwinnett schools. Purchases help raise funds for the local schools.
Some Gwinnett churches also dole out supplies to students who need them.
New Mercies Christian Church in Lilburn hosts one of the county’s largest back-to-school giveways. Last summer, New Mercies distributed 1,000 bags filled with pencils, folders, notebooks and other materials to children attending the annual “Back to School Jam,” in the church’s parking lot. The festival featured free hot dogs, snowcones, basketball, inflatable bounce houses for kids, performances by gospel artists and high school marching bands and other activities.
“Being in a mixed community both economically and internationally, we wanted to make sure that everyone was ready for the first day of school,” said Tasha Smith, marketing director for New Mercies. “lf we could help in any way, we wanted to be that resource for them. “
New Mercies’ fourth annual back-to-school festival, which is free and open to the public, will be held on Aug. 8. The materials collected for the give-away will be contributed by church and community members. More than 2,000 families are expected.
“We are reaching out to the community as well as our own church members,” said the Rev. Jesse Curney III, pastor of New Mercies. “These are very difficult times. The church can stand in the gap.”
ASSISTANCE FOR THE NEEDY
> “Care Teams” at neighborhood Gwinnett County Public Schools are accepting donations of school supplies and other back-to-school items for the needy. Contact your local school for donation information or assistance.
> Southeast Gwinnett Cooperative Ministry is accepting donations of school supplies or money to help needy students. The co-op is at 1200 Athens Highway (U.S. 78) in Grayson. Call 770-985-5229.
Thursday: School supplies and other items will be distributed to needy families from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. The hours Friday run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Contact the co-op for other service dates and times.
> Norcross Cooperative Ministry is accepting donations of school supplies or money to help needy Norcross students. The co-op is at 2275 Mitchell Road. Call 770-263-0013.
The Norcross Co-op schedule for distributing school supplies:
Today: Good Samaritan Health Center of Gwinnett, 3700 Club Drive, Lawrenceville. Back-to-school health screenings and immunizations from 1 to 4 p.m. at discount price of $35. Information: 678-280-6630
Saturday: Community Health Awareness Fair, John Wesley United Methodist Church, 5320 Jimmy Carter Blvd. Information: 770 448-8636
Monday: Back-to-school event featuring bounce houses and children’s activities at Norcross Co-op. Information: 770-263-0013
Aug. 6: Good Samaritan Health Center of Gwinnett, 3700 Club Drive, Lawrenceville. Back-to-school health screenings and immunizations from 1 to 4 p.m. at discount price of $35. Information: 678-280-6630
Aug. 7: Good Samaritan Health Center of Gwinnett, 3700 Club Dr., Lawrenceville. Back-to-school health screenings and immunizations from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. discount price of $35. Information: 678-280-6630
> Lilburn Cooperative Ministry is accepting donations of school supplies or money to help needy students in its service area. The co-op is at 5329 Five Forks Trickum Road. For service dates and times, call 770-931-8333.
Monday: The Lilburn Co-op distributes school supplies to needy families.
> Lawrenceville Cooperative Ministry is working with Trinity Life Church to collect donations of school supplies or money to equip students with materials they need for school. The co-op is at 176 Church St. and serves residents in Lawrenceville and Dacula. Information: 770-339-7887. Aug. 9: School supplies will be distributed to needy families. Trinity Life Church, 877 -A North Clayton St., Lawrenceville. Information: 678-376-1668.
> Family Promise of Gwinnett County helps homeless families in its system with back-to-school assistance and other needs. Call 678-376-8950. The organization is at 737-B Moon Road, Lawrenceville.
> New Mercies Christian Church hosts one of the largest school supply give-aways for needy families in Gwinnett.
Aug. 8: Back-to-school festival from 5 to 10 p.m. at the church, 4000 Five Forks Trickum Road, Lawrenceville. Information: 770-925-8600.
> Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church, Family & Friends Day, picnic, health screenings; canned food and school supplies give-away for needy families in Gwinnett. Festivities, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church, 182 Hunter St., Norcross. Information: 770-448-5475