By: Joseph Rios
Class is back in session across the state of Colorado.
Over this past week, thousands of students returned to school for a brand new school year. And while that’s exciting news for many Coloradan children, there is a large expense that comes for families during this time of year.
According to the National Retail Federation, families with children in elementary through high school planned to spend an average of $864 on school supplies and other items students need like clothing. That’s $168 more than in 2019. The National Retail Federation said total back to school spending is expected to match last year’s record high of $37 billion.
For some families, the burden of purchasing back to school items is heavy. However, there are plenty of options out there to assist others in need. Here are a few places to consider giving to this year to help ease students back to classrooms.
Denver Public Schools Foundation
Contact: dpsfoundation.org/donate/more/
The Denver Public Schools Foundation’s goal is to help ensure that every student has the tools and resources to reach their highest potential. The foundation’s website reads that its classrooms benefit from donations of non-cash items like office supplies, books, school supplies, clothing and more.
Those who are interested in donating to the Denver Public Schools Foundation can do so by contacting
info@dpsfoundation.org or by calling 720-423-3553.
Clothes to Kids of Denver
Contact: clothestokidsdenver.org/donate/
Clothes To Kids of Denver is focused on providing new and quality used clothing to students from low income or incrisis families throughout the Denver metro area.
The organization is accepting clothing donations on Thursday-Saturday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. All donated clothes should be new or gently used, clean and ready to wear, current styles (appealing to kids, pre-teens, teens and young adults) and suitable for school. Clothes To Kids of Denver is located at 2890 S. Colorado Blvd., Suite M-3.
Greeley-Evans Weld County School District 6
Contact: 970-348-6000
Greeley-Evans Weld County School District 6’s Teachers Closet is supported through in-kind donations, monetary gifts and grants.
Residents can consider donation to the Teachers Closet that include wooden and mechanical pencils, large and pencil top erasers, backpacks, calculators, spiral notebooks, colored pencils and other school supply items.
The Backpack Program
Contact: weldfoodbank.org/backpack-program
While back to school supplies are necessary for students, many children face hunger on weekends because they rely on food from their schools.
The Weld Food Bank works to combat student hunger by partnering with school counselors and teachers in Weld County to identify students who are in need of food over the weekend. Volunteers fill packs with child friendly food. To donate to the foodbank, visit weldfoodbank.org/donate-now/.
Jeffco Eats
Contact: jeffcoeats.org
Jeffco Eats is a community organization that strategically focuses on meeting gap needs for weekend food in Jefferson County Title One Schools. To date, the organization has delivered around 250,000 pounds of food. Volunteers of approximately 50 people help Jeffco Eats each week to reduce hunger. Food is delivered by volunteer drivers to over 29 nonprofits and section 8 apartments. To donate, or volunteer for Jeffco Eats, visit jeffcoeats.org.
