Vancouver families seek help with back-to-school costs as demand grows

Nearly 200 Vancouver families received free backpacks and school supplies Tuesday at the Salvation Army’s Boundless Vancouver community hub as the new school year approaches.

Organizers said the program is intended to ease growing financial pressure on parents, but it cannot meet all demand even after expanding to serve 200 families. Core officer Tamara Randlesome said many families are choosing between rent, utilities and food, while donations have declined.

Mother of three Gemma Castro said back-to-school shopping becomes more difficult each year as everyday costs rise. A survey by the Retail Council of Canada and market research company Caddle estimates families may spend $600 to $750 per child on back-to-school purchases, including electronics, depending on existing supplies and school requirements. The organizations put the Canadian back-to-school market at more than $4.5 billion.

Jairo Yunis of the Business Council of B.C. pointed to rising rents, food prices and consumer-goods costs. UBC education professor Johnna Montgomerie said expectations around back-to-school spending may need to shift as households have less disposable income. A recent survey found four in 10 Canadians expect to spend more this year than last year.