Inflation Driving Up the Cost of School Supplies by at Least 18%

(KNSI) — A local organization that specializes in raising money to help parents with school supplies says inflation is driving up the cost of everything – including those back-to-school essentials.

Co-Founder of Impacks, a St. Cloud-based company that puts together school supply kits for parents and buys school supplies in bulk for local districts, Clare Richards, says there is no doubt families will be paying more this year.

“We have seen a price hike somewhere in the range of about 18% on average across many different products. The National Retail Federation cites a 40% increase in some categories.”

She says, last year, families in central Minnesota spent an average of $138 per child on school supplies alone. Richards says parents feel they have no choice but to make cuts elsewhere.

“Parents are very hesitant to cut back on things that teachers have explicitly requested because the last thing that parents want to do is jeopardize their child’s education.”

Richards says to save money, get your shopping done early. She says some store shelves are already starting to empty. She advises buying from a local store in person. According to Impacks, Amazon is the most expensive place to buy school supplies.

Impacks has partnered with the United Way of Central Minnesota and is seeking donations to put together school supply kits for families in need.

Learn more by clicking here.

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