August is winding down and children are going back to school, but there is still time to help out the YMCA with its annual Stuff A Backpack campaign.
It works like this: Y branches are collecting new school supplies such as backpacks, lunchboxes, paper, pencils and notebooks. Those supplies are then donated to students in need, at local schools or through community groups.
According to figures from the National Retail Federation, families plan to spend more than $600 on back to school shopping, and managing that along with day-to-day expenses can put them under financial strain. The gift of a backpack, school supplies or accessories may seem small to families that are more financially comfortable, but will help equip students for success and relieve some of the financial stress parents are shouldering.
And some families, of course, are dealing with more than just financial stress. The Macomb Family YMCA donates all supplies it collects to Turning Point Shelter, which serves women and children recovering from domestic violence. According to Adrian Gasparone, who works with children and families at Turning Point, having school supplies available helps the mothers and their children during a very difficult time. Turning Point had 218 children come through the shelter in 2012 who needed school supplies and every backpack, notebook or pack of markers makes a difference. “They leave their homes because they’re not safe, and they usually bring very little with them so they are in need of every little bit of help that they get, including school supplies. when they enroll in school,” she says.
The Y is also offering a huge discount to new members: A $25 joiner’s fee in the month of August in exchange for a donation. That can be a 75 percent or more savings depending on membership type.
The promotion runs through Aug. 31, so please consider the Y during your back to school shopping!