The cost of living, from food to health care to rent, continues to rise, causing many families to cut back on the essentials. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ June data, the consumer price index was up 2.7% over the prior year, while housing cost increases were even worse, at 3.8%. This comes as 1 in 6 children was already experiencing poverty in 2023. With students heading back to school, this is a recipe for many kids doing without, but you can help.

As another school year begins, we’re working with our partner Greater Good Charities to provide backpacks with essentials and comfort items to kids in need, including those in the foster system. Items include necessities like toiletries, school supplies, bedding, and healthy snacks, but they also provide fun and comfort in the form of stuffed animals, toys, coloring books, and notebooks for drawing.

This can be a big support to families who are struggling with the prices of other essentials, like food. In 2023, 13.5% of U.S. households were food insecure, including 17.9% of those with children. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, cuts under the recently passed budget bill are unlikely to help, with more than $186 billion dollars expected to be cut from food assistance programs over the next 10 years. Students with these benefits are automatically enrolled in the free school lunch program, and an estimated 800,000 children are in households at risk of losing some or all of their food assistance.

The estimated $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts over the next decade are also likely to impact struggling children, with more than 11 million people projected to lose their health insurance as a result. Schools also receive Medicaid funding to help cover salaries of health professionals, including for students with disabilities, and for mental and behavioral health services.

Just keeping a roof over their heads is taking an increasing portion of the family budget, too. According to a U.S. Census Bureau survey, 49.7% of renter households were cost-burdened in 2023, meaning more than 30% of their income was going to housing costs. This was also true for 18.8 million homeowners, showing the impacts across income levels.

With food, medical bills, and housing all straining families’ finances, assistance during the pricey back-to-school time of the year can be a big help. If you’d like to provide backpacks to kids in need, click below!