Affordability top of mind for these Hamilton, Kitchener parents as school returns

Children in Ontarioreturn tothe classroom this weekand with rising costs, back-to-school shopping can be a big blow to parents' bank accounts.

"We've done a lot ofclothing drives just to cut down on money," Arlene Nancekivellsaid.

Nancekivell, who was visiting Hamilton in the final days of summerfrom Kitchener-Waterloo, told CBC Hamiltonshe has been getting hand-me-down clothes for her two children and has had to cut back on theirextracurricular activities.

Some kids like eight-year-oldNoah Lyons in Hamiltonareexcited to be back in school this week, to see friends and to put on a pair ofnew sneakers. Butfiguresreleased by Statistics Canadain Augustshow that the price of manyschool-related items, such asstationery supplies, lunch box food staples and after-school activities have gone up this year.

That, coupled with the growing cost ofitems and servicesstemming fromrising inflation ratesmeans this September's back-to-school season is hitting some parents harder.

That's why groups around the city have been running backpack drives in the final weeks of summer.

In Hamilton's east end last week,volunteers helped sendbackpacks full of school suppliesto elementary schools across Hamilton, Stoney Creek and Niagara as part of Operation Backpack.

"We started in 2010 with 92 backpacks. We're up to 1,500 right now," said Darren Green, president of the Hamilton Steelworkers Area Council.

'The need is growing'

The event is put on by a combination of retirees, local steelworker unions and companies, as well asthe CFLPlayers Association.

Around 500 backpacks were beinghanded out to students in needthroughSt. Matthew's House, a social service agency in Hamilton's north end that provides childcare.

The others were beingdelivered to 29 elementary schools and one high school.Green said next year, they will expand to donateschool supplies to more high schools.

ArcelorMittal human resources representative Nadia Jamal said she has seen the need grow over the years.

"Last year we supported 18 schools andthis year we are at 30 schools, so it's more thandouble and the need is growing," she said.

Jamal, who has a son in Grade 12 and a daughter in Grade7, said the backpacks provide a little bit of relief for parents who are trying to make ends meet a struggle she says she understands.

"The school supplies for my kids, the backpack everything adds up to your monthly bills," she said.

The Retail Council of Canada says it is seeing the pressures of inflation translate how people are spending their money.

In a survey released last month, it found the number of people planning to spend less than $50 on school shopping has gone up by 3.4 per centcompared to 2022.

It says that could be "indicative of the tightening of purse strings due to the prevailing economic conditions."

Since the pandemic, Jamal said she has had to tighten her purse strings and watch her finances more carefully.

"Cost is unbelievable. Everything, the basic needs are in high prices," she said."I don't want to say [my family is] struggling, but we are."