Families face surge in school supply costs

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This article was published 29/08/2023 (1158 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

As the school year resumes next week, Brandon’s parents wrestle with a 20 per cent surge in school supply expenses, straining wallets. Kids eager for class are also hit by the cost crunch.

“My children are set to return to school next week. Typically, we cover the costs of supplies at the beginning of each school year, but this time, there has been a 20 per cent increase in expenses,” said parent Hardik Patel, who has a child is entering Grade 6 at Meadows School and another one just enrolling in school.

The repercussions of this cost escalation are acutely felt as parents like Patel rush to gather the essential supplies their children require. The last-minute scramble to secure school essentials compounds the stress that often accompanies the back-to-school season.

Patel said that the sticker shock encompassing items ranging from textbooks to school shoes and clothing is particularly challenging for families already grappling with rising food and gasoline prices.

“I’m considering my options for next week when school begins. I will obtain the supply list, explore online options and compare prices. If I find a more affordable solution, I’ll opt to purchase the items myself rather than paying the increased costs,” he said.

Beyond the immediate pressures of the back-to-school rush, the augmented expenses present long-term financial dilemmas for families. Patel outlined his strategies for managing this fiscal strain, explaining “I’ve had to eliminate non-essential items. For instance, we were unable to go on vacation this year. We’ll prioritize moderately priced clothing brands instead of premium ones.”

Patel also said the situation has impacted his savings.

“We’ve had to significantly trim our family budget since we still have four months left in the year, and the future remains uncertain,” he told the Sun.

Similar concerns were shared by other parents in the Brandon region. Samantha Anthony, a mother of two, expressed her astonishment at the considerable cost increase this year. She emphasized that the rise in expenses extends beyond pencils and notebooks, affecting every facet of back-to-school preparations.

“As a family of four with only one working parent — my husband … I’m currently not employed — the heightened costs have added complexity to our financial juggling act to ensure our kids have all they need for school. It’s overwhelming,” she said.

Another parent, Brigitte Van De Kerckhove, says that the escalating costs of school supplies have become a matter of deep concern. She noted that expenses for items such as books and clothing have experienced a significant surge, resulting in financial challenges as families prepare for the school year.

“Items that were previously priced at $1.50 are now $2.50, nearly a 67 per cent increase,” she added. “This substantial price hike has strained family budgets, making it difficult for them to afford essential supplies for their children’s education.”

Van De Kerckhove, who is the founder of VDK Delivery Services and Storage, expressed worries about families with lower incomes. She stressed the necessity of government assistance, suggesting, “I believe the Manitoba government should implement school funding for parents with specific income levels to aid in covering school supply costs.”

She underscored the importance of providing support to ensure that all students have access to a quality education without placing an undue financial burden on families.

Although Van De Kerckhove has devised strategies to manage the situation, such as offering rideshares to mitigate costs, she pointed out that the escalating expenses have influenced demand for her services.

“What I’ve noticed is that people are recognizing the difference, and costs are on the rise,” she said.

The rising costs of school supplies and exchange rate are having a far-reaching impact, even beyond individual families, as local charities struggle to provide the same level of support to children in need.

United Way Brandon and District director of operations Janis Evens said the increase in the exchange rate is also affecting the organization’s outreach efforts.

Evens explained that while the demand for assistance remains steady, the increased costs have added new layers of challenges for the charity.

“The dollar doesn’t go as far as it used to. We haven’t done the full collection yet. With the increases in the cost of living and inflation, we don’t get as much per dollar as we did last year,” Evens said.

Evens discussed how the charity relies on the generosity of the community to bridge the gap in supplies for children in need.

“We try to stretch the dollar as far as we can in purchasing supplies, but we are limited to a budget. We try to do as much as we can for our children in the community,” Evens said.

In the face of these challenges, Evens shared that they partner closely with schools and their liaisons to determine which students are most in need of assistance.

“They’re the ones that work with the families, and they’re the ones that know the families and know their family situations. So, we rely heavily on them to make that decision on who gets those tools for school.”

When asked about the number of children impacted by their program, Evens explained, “We try to get as many children school supplies as needed. This year might be a little bit less because of the cost of the supplies.”

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