The start of the school year comes with a lot of costs. There are books, supplies, backpacks, lunches, and all sorts of things you need to buy. Don’t forget clothes. Every kid wants to start the year looking their best, and they’ve been growing all summer! As a parent, it can add up.

The good news is you aren’t alone. The community has your back. There are many free or reduced cost public resources for families preparing for school.

Not sure where to start? The local news is a great way to learn about back to school drives in your area. You can also talk to your child’s school – they will likely know about local groups that are helping out. Many organizations have backpack programs and other special events at this time of year. If you keep your eyes open, you can find a lot of free school supplies this way.

You can also search online. The Washington 2-1-1 directory or ResourceFinder are great places to start. You can type in a search for whatever you need most. School supplies and children’s clothing are great places to start. Don’t forget to add your location for better results.

Looking for help with day-to-day lunches for the kids? You should definitely know about National School Lunch Program. They provide nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to children in school. Learn more about applying for the program here.

CHPW wants you and your family to start the school year off happy and healthy. We are all one community, and this is a time when the community can really help. We all want those kids smiling. Don’t hesitate to reach out!