Shopping for school supplies is a yearly ritual some families have come to love or loathe as the admission price continues to increase.
According to the National Retail Federation , families are paying an average of $875 per household this year. In 2007, families were paying $563.
Back-to-school funds were relatively cheap in 2009 when the non-profit Hands Across the Bay was founded.
“We spent about $5,000 and took care of all of our families,” Julie Weintraub, president and founder of Hands Across the Bay . “Now, we’re spending $20,000 to get the same amount that we did then. So, it has quadrupled the price of getting the items we do to ensure we take care of all our Hands Across the Bay families and some other folks in our community.”
Weintraub is also the COO of the Gold and Diamond Source, one of the country’s largest family-owned jewelers. She is now using her position in the community to help others, ensuring every dollar goes to a family in need.
“I direct it right to that family. I’ll take care of all the admin costs. I’m doing well, so I’ll take care of that. And I will directly get those funds to whatever family they choose,” Weintraub said. “I’m not going to shave off, you know, 20% of it, or 50% of it, and give them a little bit. I will pay for the team to do that for you.”