The school year starts for most Manitoba K-12 students in just over a week, and the cost of school supplies, clothing, shoes, and other items is adding up for parents. “We’re at $280, and we didn’t even get the shoes yet,” Larry Chief told CTV News at CF Polo Park Monday. “We’re looking at probably another couple hundred bucks.” Chief was helping his son Jacob, who’s starting grade three, pick out some new outfits. Chief said he still needs to pick up basic school supplies before the first bell rings. “I’m a budget guy, so I’m going to go around and find most of the deals.” CTV News Winnipeg scoured the websites of Walmart, Superstore and Staples on Monday and found it will cost parents on average about $55 to stock up on essential items like pencils, pens, binders, and backpacks. But the Retail Council of Canada said the basics are just the tip of the iceberg. According to its annual consumer report, parents will spend between $600 and $750 per child on back-to-school shopping trips once electronics like laptops or tablets are factored in. The average amount spent in 2016 for back-to-school was between $400 and $500. “We’re looking at, on average, a 40 to 60 per cent increase compared to a decade ago,” John Graham, the council’s prairies director of government relations, told CTV News. “That reflects not only inflation, but perhaps some of the requirements you need to supply as a parent.” Those rising costs are why organizations like BGC Winnipeg (formerly Boys & Girls Club) are busy filling backpacks ahead of the first day. “Affordability is a real big challenge for families at the moment,” Noelle DePape, BGC Winnipeg’s president and CEO, told CTV News. “I know as a mom of two myself, it’s expensive going back to school. And I think we should look at how do we make sure all kids have access to the supplies they need.” BGC Winnipeg is holding a school supply drive to help children and youth from its 11 clubs around the city. “We want to make sure our kids feel tooled up, excited, and equipped to go back to school and ready to learn,” Noelle DePape, BGC Winnipeg’s president and CEO, told CTV News. Backpacks, running shoes, and scientific calculators are some of BGC Winnipeg’s most sought-after items this year, along with the basics. “Pencils, markers, scissors, glue sticks,” Justine Baxa, BGC Winnipeg’s South Pembina manager, said. “New supplies can boost the confidence of the youth we serve.” You can drop off school supplies to BGC Winnipeg’s head office at 61 Juno Street or visit the organization’s website for more details.
