Why One Backpack Can Lead to Endless Possibilities
Why One Backpack Can Lead to Endless Possibilities
As the first school bell draws near, families across the country brace for what should be an exciting milestone—but for many, it’s a source of stress and uncertainty. Back-to-school season brings the pressure of providing not just notebooks and pencils, but the confidence and dignity that come from being prepared. For parents already living paycheck to paycheck, the rising cost of school supplies can feel overwhelming. It’s not just about the backpack. It’s about whether their child walks into school feeling like they belong—or like they don’t.
Recent surveys show that families are spending an average of $570 per child on back-to-school shopping this year—a nearly 10% increase from last year, with costs for basic supplies up more than 24% since 2020 [¹][²]. Nearly a third of U.S. parents say they simply can’t afford everything their children need to return to school, and more than a third expect to go into debt just to make it happen [³][⁴]. That kind of financial strain doesn’t just affect budgets, it affects family well-being, mental health, and a child’s ability to succeed from day one. The emotional toll is heavy. Parents carry guilt. Children carry anxiety. And it all begins before the first assignment is even handed out.
In places like Louisiana, where nearly 1 in 4 children lives in poverty, the burden is especially intense [⁵]. In Mississippi, roughly 74% of children rely on free or reduced lunch, a statistic that underscores the deep economic struggles many families face [⁶]. These aren’t just numbers, they are quiet realities for thousands of families who wonder if their child will have what they need to fit in, keep up, and feel seen.
How We Help
That’s where The Salvation Army steps in. Across Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and beyond, local Corps units are organizing back-to-school drives, distributing backpacks filled with essential supplies, and offering families a moment of relief—and a message of hope. In Jefferson County, Alabama, for example, The Salvation Army partners with community groups to hand out backpacks stocked with grade-specific items, hygiene products, and encouraging words [⁷]. In Louisiana, Salvation Army staff and volunteers are working to ensure children don’t start school at a disadvantage simply because of financial hardship.
For many of the families we serve, a donated backpack is more than just a bag. It’s a symbol of care, a spark of confidence, and a tangible reminder that they’re not alone. It helps a child walk taller into the classroom. It gives a parent one less thing to worry about. It plants the seed for success.
At The Salvation Army, we believe one backpack truly can lead to endless possibilities. Because when a child is prepared, they’re more likely to participate, to thrive, and to dream. And when families feel supported, it lightens the emotional and financial burden they carry every single day.
This school year, we invite you to be part of that transformation. Whether you give, volunteer, or share our mission with others, your support helps us reach the children who need it most. Help us pack more than supplies—help us pack hope.
Endnotes
- $570 per child average spend / 9.4% increase year-over-year
Source: Deloitte 2024 Back-to-School Survey
https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/pages/consumer-business/articles/back-to-school-survey.html - 24% increase in school supply costs since 2020
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Price Index for Educational Supplies
https://www.bls.gov - 31% of parents say they can’t afford full back-to-school shopping
Source: LendingTree Back-to-School Survey, 2024
https://www.lendingtree.com/personal/back-to-school-survey/ - 34% of families going into debt for school supplies
Source: Deloitte 2024 Back-to-School Survey
https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/pages/consumer-business/articles/back-to-school-survey.html - Nearly 1 in 4 children in Louisiana live in poverty
Source: Annie E. Casey Foundation, 2024 Kids Count Data Book
https://www.aecf.org/resources/2024-kids-count-data-book - 74% of Mississippi children rely on free or reduced lunch
Source: Mississippi Department of Education / Reddit user summary
https://www.reddit.com/r/mississippi/comments/vu2joo/in_mississippi_74_of_children_are_dependent_on/ - Jefferson County, Alabama backpack program
Source: Low Income Relief — “Free School Supplies in Jefferson County, Alabama”
https://lowincomerelief.com/school-supplies-in-jefferson-county-alabama/