New York City public school students return to class on Thursday, Sept. 4, prompting families across the five boroughs to buy school supplies. A 2022 survey by Junior Achievement USA found 33 percent of teens reported insecurity about the cost of school supplies. The expense of required lists, uniforms, clothing and shoes increases stress for families. Many elected officials and local organizations host backpack and supply giveaways to help ease costs. Events are usually first-come, first-serve, have limited inventory, and require the child to be present. Local groups cite federal cuts to Medicaid, food stamps and other safety nets as intensifying need.
According to a 2022 survey conducted by Junior Achievement USA, a nonprofit that advocates for the economic advancement of young people, 33 percent of the teens it surveyed across the country expressed insecurity over the cost of school supplies. This can lead to a stressful period as families try to get everything that is required on their child's school supply list, in addition to uniforms, new clothes, sneakers, shoes and more.
"Unfortunately a lot of households already have limited resources and now with [all these] cuts it's going to be a lot harder for people," said Lance Sagesse, a leader with the Pentecostal Church of God in Flatbush, Brooklyn, which is organizing one such event on Aug. 23, referring to federal cuts to Medicaid, food stamps and other safety net programs. "So whatever we can do to relieve the burden from parents as well as students, that's going to be our goal."
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