RALEIGH -- While back to school shopping can be an exciting time for students, Raleigh Rescue Mission says thousands in Wake County don't have access to supplies.
"Over 3,700 children in Wake County that it's believed that their basic needs are just being met. So they are lacking in food, shelter and of course school supplies can be a difficult thing for their families to purchase,” said Raleigh Rescue Mission public relations specialist Lauri Para.
The National Retail Federation's annual survey shows families with children in grades K-12 plan to spend an average of about $108 on school supplies, so Raleigh Rescue Mission is working to give 500 students items they need during a back to school backpack giveaway on August 20.
"We definitely need backpacks for all ages, composition books, highlighters, crayons, markers, binder paper (college ruled and wide ruled), every possible item you may see on your child's back to school list,” said Para.
Another non-profit packing up supplies for students is Helping Hand Mission. Volunteers have already donated to more than 100 kids this summer and now they need more items for their giveaway events on August 10 and 18.
"Just having people to reach out and to be able to give items that kids need is so very important,” said Helping Hand Mission executive director Sylvia Wiggins.
Wiggins says the best part is sending students to school with all the tools they need to succeed.
"Just to know that they can look under their desk and then pull out what the teacher needs, that helps the teacher, that helps the parent, that helps the children. It's a win-win for everybody,” she said.
Donate to Raleigh Rescue Mission or Helping Hand Mission.