MILWAUKEE , Wis. — Rising costs are weighing on families this back-to-school season.
The National Retail Federation said families with children in elementary through high school plan to spend an average of $890.07 on supplies and school items this year.
Because of those high costs, Wellpoint Care Network in Milwaukee and supermarket chain Meijer are teaming up to help supply families in the community with 1,000 backpacks filled with school supplies.
The shopping spree is for the nonprofit’s second annual Back-to-School Bash, which ensures students have the support and resources they need as they prepare for the upcoming school year.
Many kids look forward to the back-to-school shopping experience, but it’s an experience not every child may get to do.
Stephanie Allen, Director of Development at Wellpoint, said as a mother of eight children, she knows how exciting of a this time this can be.
“I remember the days, and I’m still within those days of making sure I can catch the bargains,” said Allen.
Allen said with the high costs of supplies, this is one way they can help ease the burden for families.
“It’s a joy to be able to provide just something simple for families,” she said. “It’s not something really huge but it does help take the burden off those families that may need it.”
Stacy Maynard, store director at Meijer, said they’ve partnered with Wellpoint in the past.
“They do a great job of helping the children in the community,” said Maynard. “Their mission of being there for children and families pretty much goes with our mission of being able to support the community. It definitely is a great partnership to really do whatever we need to do to make sure that children are taken care of.”
The Back-to-School Bash will be held on Thursday, Aug. 10, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Wellpoint’s campus, located at 8901 W. Capitol Drive.