Back-to-school giveaway in Elkhart helps parents struggling with high shopping costs

ELKHART, Ind. --- Back-to-school time means back-to-school shopping and for many parents the price of school supplies, clothes, and shoes can add up pretty quickly.

That’s why the Sakal Center church in Elkhart teamed up with local hair stylists and businesses to offer free haircuts and free school supplies Friday. Hundreds of parents showed up to the giveaway.

The average family is spending about $700 per child on back-to-school shopping, according to a 2018 survey by the National Retail Federation. The cost reaches over $1,000 per child once they get to high school.

 “We can’t fulfill the whole list of things but we try to get as close to it as we can to help the parents that can’t afford school supplies,” Monique Harris with the Sakal Center said. “For the most part the response I’ve been getting is a thank you, that’s more than enough. We don’t even look for a thank you this is not about recognition, this is about helping.”

Because of the high turnout Friday, the Sakal Center is accepting donations of backpacks and school supplies to organize another giveaway event. To donate contact Monique by phone (574) 202-7693 or email [email protected]