As many consumers already started making back-to-school purchases, groups throughout the region are providing assistance for families who may struggle to afford essential items.
Two-thirds of shoppers (67%) began buying items for the upcoming school year as of early July, according to an annual survey released Tuesday by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics. The number rose from 55% last year and represents the highest percentage since the NRF started tracking early shopping in 2018, per the survey.
The survey also found about half of families shopping for supplies got an earlier start this year based on concerns prices will rise due to potential tariffs, NRF officials said. Additionally, the NRF data shows about a quarter (24%) of back-to-school shoppers plan to spread out their budgets this year, officials said.
Meanwhile, Jessup borough holds a back-to-school supply drive to provide students within the Valley View School District with core classroom items and the United Way of Wyoming Valley organizes a Helping Kids Thrive Drive where the organization will accept children’s underwear and diapers along with basic hygiene products and school supplies to help local families.
For Jessup’s supply drive, borough officials noted the most-needed items include lunchboxes, crayons, markers, pens, pencils, paper, clear backpacks, folders, glue sticks, scissors, notebooks and binders. The items will be accepted at three locations during July: the borough office, 395 Lane St.; St. George’s Restaurant, 304 Church St.; and Kids Korner Playground on Erie Street (Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to noon).
“It’s incredibly important for the community to come together and make sure we’re taking care of our kids,” Jessup Councilman Curt Camoni said. “As more and more things get cut for folks who are the most vulnerable or need the most help, it’s important that the community makes sure nobody is falling through the cracks.”
Jennifer Filipski, the borough’s administrative assistant, noted officials started organizing the school supply drive about three years ago and described the support for the program as “fantastic.”
“We were trying to think of different community events we could do and different ways to help in the borough,” she said. “We thought it could be beneficial to some of the families because we know there are some people in need.”
Filipski added the donations also take some of the burden off educators who often purchase supplies for their classrooms.
“The teachers greatly appreciate it because I know a lot of times (they) pay for things out of their own pocket,” she said. “They’re always very thankful when we call and ask them what they need for the year.”
Sara Peperno, president and CEO of United Way Wyoming Valley, stressed the nonprofit’s reach through the drive has expanded in recent years as it now has a presence in 34 school buildings in 10 school districts (Crestwood, Dallas, Hanover Area, Lake-Lehman, Greater Nanticoke Area, Northwest Area, Pittston Area, Wilkes-Barre Area, Wyoming Area and Wyoming Valley West) and eight partner agencies (CASA, Wyoming Valley Children’s Association, Luzerne County Head Start, SHINE, Family Service Association, YMCA, Osterhout Free Library and the Child Development Council of NEPA).
“The United Way, many years ago, started a Nurse’s Pantry program and we’re now in every school building throughout the Wyoming Valley,” Peperno said. “These are places embedded in schools and agencies in the community that provide different products to students and kids, from deodorant to toothpaste to mouthwash — things that are really essential to a child’s success.
“We were hearing from the school nurses that they were seeing some attendance issues with students because they didn’t have the necessary things they needed in everyday life to come to school. As we think about going back to school, stocking those nurses’ pantries became an important component to our agency because oftentimes what the students use throughout the year is diminished in the school districts. We ask local companies and individuals to come together and provide us with all these essential products kids can use. We started out with about 500-plus products and we expect 2,000 or more to be utilized this year.”
Donations to support the Helping Kids Thrive Drive may be dropped off at the United Way of Wyoming Valley, 100 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Wilkes-Barre, on Aug. 5 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Companies or individuals may also make arrangements with Paola Mendez at 570-271-9109 or pmendez@unitedwaywb.org to coordinate a pickup or drop-off time, Peperno said. In addition to the hygiene products, sneakers and backpacks are also needed for students, officials noted.
“All the things that go into making families stronger in the community are so essential, so we really appreciate all the support we receive,” Peperno said. “We’re finding that a lot of working-class people are some of the ones having the most challenges right now. Providing some of these back-to-school products helps families in ways we don’t even realize because we take the necessities off their plate and they’re able to do more for their family. I think we’re all seeing there is a major struggle with poverty in our area and people in the working classes struggling to afford some of these products.”
Verizon to hold backpack drive across region
Verizon authorized retailer Round Room will host its 13th annual “School Rocks Backpack Giveaway” event July 27 at 1 p.m. at locations throughout Lackawanna, Luzerne, Schuylkill, Wayne and Wyoming counties. Each family will be entitled to one free backpack per child, while supplies last, officials said. The locations are:
Lackawanna County:
1782 N. Keyser Ave., Ste. 1, Scranton
228 S Blakely St., Dunmore
1141 Northern Blvd., Clarks Summit
95 Brooklyn St. Unit 3, Carbondale
Luzerne County:
320 Route 315 Hwy. Ste. 200, Pittston Twp.
887 Wyoming Ave. Unit 1, Wyoming
837 Airport Road, Hazle Twp. (will have clear backpacks)
59 S Mountain Blvd., Mountain Top
67B S. Wyoming Ave., Edwardsville (will have clear backpacks)
2450 Memorial Hwy. Ste. 8, Dallas
Schuylkill County:
1544 Route 61 Hwy. S. Ste. 6100, Pottsville
400 Terry Rich Blvd Ste. 3, St. Clair (will have clear backpacks)
Wayne County:
650 Old Willow Ave., Honesdale
569 Hamlin Hwy. Unit 9, Hamlin
Wyoming County:
512 Towne Plaza Ste. 102, Tunkhannock (will have clear backpacks)