Recession Pinches Back-to-School Budgets

Donations of School Supplies Down as the Need among Families Grows

(CBS)  They started lining up Monday, sleeping on the streets of skid row for a chance to get free shoes and school supplies at the Fred Jordan mission.

Mya Palacio, four of her siblings, and her mom slept overnight in a tent, at a time when many cities are said to be turning a corner in this recession, California's unemployment is a whopping 12.2 percent. Mya's dad had his work hours cut back because of the economy. Now the family budget it tight.

"We just try to find the cheapest," said Bobbie Ramirez, Mya's mom. "Going to the 99 cent store."

Mya doesn't ask for much, and she's not embarrassed about her situation.

"What do you think when you see all these other families out here?" asked CBS News correspondent Sandra Hughes.

"It makes me think I'm not the only one struggling," Mya said.

Everything from shampoo, to jackets to jeans are donated for the giveaway. But this year, because of the economy, donations are down 30 percent. Corporations like Foot Locker and Guess are big donors, but individuals give to the mission, too. Last year they had $2 million in donated merchandise to give away. This year only half of that - yet 500 more people showed up this year - 5,500 in all.

"Everyone will receive something, even if they don't get a complete outfit," said Willie Jordan, the president of the Fred Jordan Missions.

Mission officials say they see more unemployed dads and more children in need.

"I like them a lot," Mya said of a pair of shoes she got at the mission. "And I'm grateful for what I did get."

A bag full of supplies - and a lesson in good will.

[quapawsix]

California has more than it's share of problems that's for sure that's what happens when you let the extremely greedy Republican Right run things.
And if memory serves me it was a another Democrat turn coat to the Republicans named Ronald Reagen. Then Governor Reagen who put the rich before the people of the state of California set them on a road to Fiasco now the low wage hourly people in that state are homeless and living in tents. And don't complain about the Mex's they were wanted in this country because the Extremely greedy Right wanted cheap labor. And here's your sign G.W. was the one who stated they are filling the jobs Americans aren't filling.

[Mkw789]

The economy will bounce back. Government spending created many jobs in the Great Depression, Hoover Dam for example. Some paint that as socialism, others as a wise public investment -- found a cool site; Balkingpoints ; incredible satellite view of earth

[teaCheetah]

With the exception of one English speaking family, my first impression was this is a report regarding a Latin American country. Can understand why California is broke.

[sjc_1]

California schools are broke due to Prop 13. The state has lost a lot of property tax revenue and is too dependent on income tax that goes down during a recession.

[rocketjl]

Think that is bad, these nuts around here have 'now' decided that in Jan, during the middle of the school year, it will become mandatory for some schools to have the kids wear uniforms. I looked at the school systems in the Huntsville-Madison, AL area and I have to ask myself, what lesson are they trying to teach the kids. Clothing budgets are spent already and they select the middle of the year, not next school year. We are going to have a lot of new politicians when these kids grow up. Don't do it because it seems right or beneficial, just let people know who has what 'power'.