JACKSON, Mich. (WILX) – According to the National Retail Federation, the average family can expect to spend around $900 during the back-to-school season. To help ease that burden on families in need, a series of school supply distributions are being held in Mid-Michigan.
The Jackson County Intermediate School District (JCISD) is hosting a Back to School Bonanza on August 15 to help families stock up on essentials.
“Backpacks, school supplies, pizza and water, and we open our amazing playground,” said Maureen Keene, JCISD assistant superintendent.
According to the U.S. Census, approximately 18% of children in Jackson County live in poverty. That’s over 6,500 children under the age of 19 in the county who lack the resources to maintain a minimum standard of living.
“We want to make sure every child has access to high-quality literacy products. We believe reading is very important. We are all about interventions and preparing children for school and preparing them for success in school,” Keene said.
JCISD also offers free books to help prepare children for their return to normal life.
It’s not the only back-to-school giveaway taking place in Mid-Michigan. Community Choice Credit Unions in Jackson and Hillsdale gave away 400 school supplies on August 8.
“When they pick up their backpacks, they can also grab a slice of pizza; we have lots of games for the kids out there. I’ll be sitting under some kind of plunge pool later,” said Bridget Simone, manager of Community Choice Credit Union in Jackson.
With backpacks full of school supplies, they hope to give Mid-Michigan students a great start to the school year.
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