(August 19, 2008)—Central Texas charitable organizations say they’re are seeing more children in need of school supplies this year, in some cases twice as many as in years past.
This time of year, many parents head to the stores to stock up on books and crayons, but high energy costs and the sluggish economy leave some without the cash they need to make sure their children are prepared for the first day of class.
Project Apple Tree is one of the groups that help with school supplies.
"Over the nine years it's grown to over 1,300 children and it still grows every single year," Project Apple Tree Organizer Jeannette Kelley said.
Cheryl Epperson and her son Andrew went to the Helping Hands Ministry for supplies for the first time this year.
"The higher you go (in school), the more expensive it is cause you got to have more," Epperson said.
The first day is about more than just papers and pens, which is why programs such as Project Apple Tree go beyond school supplies, completely setting children up for the first day of school.
"They get a complete outfit of brand new clothing,” Kelley said.
“They're going to look like every other child that has everything that they need."
As for college students, the prep doesn't get any easier.
Tuition and books are sky high.
Mushawn Smith purchased three books and the tab came to $480.
"Wow! That's all I can say...wow,” Smith said.
It’s costs such as those that has some economists predicting that college students will scale back on other purchases such as clothing and dorm furnishings this year.
The hidden cost of an education is creating a hard lesson in money management.
"I can expect to spend for these books so I was already preparing for fall semester, getting ready, putting money aside for books,” Smith said.
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