Mile High United Way ready to help hundreds of families get ready for back to school

Back-to-school supplies have not been spared by inflation and one Colorado non-profit is hoping to help the families and teachers hit hardest.

On Saturday, Mile High United Way will host its third annual Back to School Bash – an event that provides school supplies to elementary school-aged children and middle/high school students in the Denver metro area. It's the largest the event has been because this year, the need is bigger than ever.

The event began for elementary school children but has since expanded.

"We've now seen that need grow to teacher baskets, high school backpacks, scientific calculators," said Chelsea Carver, Chief Development Officer for Mile High United Way. 

The teacher baskets are crucial. More teachers are starting online fundraising campaigns to stock classrooms to avoid paying out of pocket, which many do.

"Teachers will get cleaning supplies, extra crayons, extra markers. Everything a teacher might need so they're not having to rush out and buy it on their own," said Carver.

It costs more than ever to buy school supplies. Since 2019, the National Retail Federation says all categories of back-to-school supplies have seen increases, with the highest in stationary at 22% since 2019. It says families expect to spend upwards of $800 on supplies this year, more than ever before. With 42% of Colorado families on the Free and Reduced Lunch program, it's not a feasible number for many.

The cost of supplies is why the need is so great this year and likely why donations have not been.

"This year we're not sure what happened, but we had far fewer donations than we normally have so we are just shy of our goal so we are looking for folks to help make sure child has a backpack when they head off to school  this year, Carver continued, "because ultimately when you're excited about school, you're going to do well in school and that's what we want for all of our kids."

Mile High United Way will be giving around 400 backpacks away in Denver this weekend and 100 in Boulder the following weekend. The Colorado-based company, Crocs, donated 200 fully stuffed backpacks.  

Find more information about how to donate the drive.