The first day of school will be Aug. 25, and many families are facing the annual burden of purchasing needed supplies.
In general, an elementary student needs a backpack, a water bottle and pencils. Most school supply lists ask for more, including dry erase markers, scissors, paper, crayons and glue sticks.
Anne Arundel County Public Schools works with various organizations to help families get needed supplies.
Next week is prime back-to-school shopping season, coinciding with the second annual “Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week,” starting Sunday and ending Aug. 16. Qualifying apparel and footwear costing $100 or less per item are exempt from the state’s 6% sales tax. The first $40 of a backpack or book bag is also tax-free.
County backpack drive
The Anne Arundel County Department of Social Services provides supplies for elementary students in need, prioritizing those who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or Temporary Cash Assistance benefits.
The department has held this annual drive for 30 years. Eligible students are referred by school counselors. Donors are matched with students and given a list of needed supplies. According to the program, school supplies typically cost between $50 and $75, depending on the child’s grade.
To sign up, go to aacounty.org/back-to-school.
‘Backpack Buddies’
The school district works with the Anne Arundel County Food Bank on the “Backpack Buddies” program, which identifies students in need and provides a backpack full of food each weekend and holiday during the school year.
Eligible students receive items for breakfast, lunch and dinner, along with snacks. The program reaches more than 1,000 students across more than 40 Anne Arundel public schools.
Go to aafoodbank.org/backpack-buddies for more information.
National Center for Children and Families
The National Center for Children and Families, a Bethesda-based nonprofit operating in Maryland and Washington, D.C, is holding its annual school supply drive for families.
Pack a backpack with the supplies listed on their shopping list and drop it off at 6301 Greentree Road, Bethesda, weekdays between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Supplies can also be purchased directly through the organization’s Amazon and Target registries, or donations given at nccf-cares.org/back-to-school-backpack-drive.
Have a news tip? Contact Bridget Byrne at bbyrne@baltsun.com or 443-690-7205.
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