Bangor - Backpacks plus paper plus pencils, before you know it your back to school shopping list is longer than two sheets.
These days parents can be overwhelmed by the equation but it doesn’t take much skill to figure out an easy solution to get everything students need to make the grade.
“Depending on your child’s age level and maturity level, this is a good time to start talking with them about budgeting, about differences between needs and wants.”
Renae Muscatell with Penquis says it’s a conversation that’s happening more often than you think as most of the families coming to her office to receive supplies are asking for help for the first time.
Instead of purchasing the essentials at big chain stores, more and more families are shopping at bargain stores such as Goodwill.
“Everybody shops here from all realms. It’s a wonderful place to get good bargains no matter where you are in your life,” says store manager Shirley Hall.
Here you’ll not only find brand new supplies but also gently used name brand items.
“We want the customer to get a good deal and we want the customer to know they got a good deal and for them to return.”
While a shopping list may prompt you to buy everything all at once, your child doesn’t need every item for the first day of school.
“Some of the best sales happen after September, after school starts and they can go out and shop throughout the school year for their child,” Muscatell says.
For families struggling to choose between grocery items and school supplies, there are plenty of agencies waiting to help.
“I just encourage you to call and ask for help. There are caring people who understand it’s really difficult economic times and you aren’t alone.”
Penquis held its annual school supply drive this year.
They reached their goal and received 15-hundred donations.
If you’d like to contact Penquis, you can give them a call at 973-3500.
