From ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — As families brace for higher costs this back-to-school season, a major school supply drive is helping thousands of students start the year prepared while saving Buncombe County families an estimated $275,000 in education-related costs.
The United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County distributed 2,770 fully stocked backpacks this summer to students across Asheville City and Buncombe County schools and community programs. This comes as the latest National Retail Federation survey expects K-12 families to spend an average of $863.86 on items this year on items.
“The United Way Backpack Drive is huge,” said LeVette Campbell, director of student support services for Asheville City Schools. “We really kind of count on that as one of our partnerships because we’re able to serve more of our families.”