Struggling to afford all the supplies your kids need for this back-to-school season? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Luckily, there are programs out there to help that offer free school supplies, backpacks, clothes, and other necessities so your child can start the year off right.
This guide will give you the tips on how to take advantage of resources for free school supplies in your neighborhood. Our goal is to help your children get all the tools they need to learn and also to give you the peace of mind that comes with that.
Back to School Supply Lists: What You’ll Most Likely Need
Let’s start by getting a supply list ready. Once you’ve been approved for a free school supplies program, you’ll want to review the supply lists for your kids’ grades to make sure they have everything they need.
Elementary school:
You’ll likely need pencils, erasers, glue sticks, safety scissors, crayons or colored pencils, rulers, and notebooks. Don’t forget basic supplies like lunch boxes, water bottles, and backpacks. For younger kids, you may need things like blunt-tip scissors, washable markers, and preschool workbooks.
Middle school:
In addition to the basics, expect to need scientific calculators, protractors, compasses, and more advanced books. Kids this age may have specific needs for elective classes like art. Check with their school for required supplies.
High school:
High schoolers will need most of the same supplies as middle school students, as well as graphing calculators for math and science classes. They’ll likely need materials for vocational classes or extracurricular activities like sports or clubs.
Salvation Army
So what are your options to find free school supplies? First we have the Salvation Army, one of the largest charitable community organizations in the U.S. which runs back-to-school programs to provide supplies for families in need.
The Salvation Army partners with local organizations and companies like Walmart, Staples, and Target to collect and distribute free school supplies. Local Salvation Army centers work to get children of low income and military families’ backpacks filled with everything they need to start the school year off right.
Kids in Need Foundation
The Kids in Need Foundation (KINF) is another one of the larger non-profit organizations that provides back-to-school help for kids and teachers. Many local United Way chapters organize school supply drives and events where they provide free school supplies for those in need.
Applying for KINF’s school supply assistance is straightforward. You fill out an application on their website, which asks for information like your contact details, household members, income sources, and the ages and school grades of your children. KINF’s local coordinators will review your application and may contact you to schedule an in-person or phone interview. If approved, you will receive details on when and where to pick up your children’s supply kits.
National School Lunch Program: Help With Other School Costs
Once you’ve found the free supplies you need for your kids, it’s possible you may need further assistance for their school-related expenses. Like food for example, typically a much larger expense than school supplies. Don’t worry — there’s a great program available for this as well. The National School Lunch Program offers free or low-cost lunches for children from families with incomes at or below 130% of the poverty level.
The program provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to over 30 million children each school day. For many low-income families, this program is a lifeline, helping to relieve the burden of paying for school lunches and ensuring children have access to healthy meals. Some schools that participate in the School Lunch Program may also offer breakfasts, after-school snacks, and summer food programs at no or low cost.
What Else Does This Program Offer?
In addition to lunches, some schools offer other benefits for families participating in the School Lunch Program like reduced fees for things like field trips, sports equipment, instruments, or books.
To Apply For School Lunch Program:
You can apply for the program at your child’s school or school district. You’ll need to provide information like your income and family size to determine if you meet the eligibility criteria. The good news is the application process is pretty straightforward. Once approved, your child will receive free or reduced-price lunches for the entire school year.
Stop Paying Your Phone Bill And Save Money For School Supplies!
In the United States, the average phone bill is $166 a month. Imagine how many school supplies that could get you! At EASY Wireless, we believe in the importance of connectivity. Whether you need a phone and phone plan for you or your child, or want to save money on your current one, you can now qualify for a FREE phone and FREE UNLIMITED DATA PLAN!
Lifeline/ACP Programs with EASY Wireless.
Lifeline and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) are government programs designed to make phone and internet services more affordable for eligible low-income individuals and families. At EASY Wireless, we understand the importance of affordable connectivity for everyone, and we want to help you access the benefits of these programs so you can stay connected and start your virtual education without breaking the bank.
What Benefits Do You Get With EASY Wireless?
Upon qualifying for one of the programs above through EASY Wireless, you will receive the following benefits:
EASY Wireless Unlimited Plan
- FREE Unlimited Data
- FREE Unlimited Talk
- FREE Unlimited Text
- FREE SIM Card Kit and Activation
- Choose to Keep Your Number or Get a New One
How do I Apply For EASY Wireless Benefits?
To get started with EASY Wireless, apply online by clicking the below:
Start Saving Today!
Start Saving Today!
Or you can come to one of the EASY Wireless’s retail stores, where our customer service agent will help you apply for the benefits.
Either way, the first step is to provide proof of identity with a government-issued ID. This is so you can confirm your participation in one of the qualifying programs or that you meet the household income requirement.
We accept the following U.S. Government Issued ID:
- U.S. Driver License
- Certificate of U.S. Citizenship
- Certificate of Naturalization
- U.S. Passport
- U.S. Government, State or Tribal issued-ID
- U.S. Military ID cards
- Permanent Resident Cards
- Permanent Resident Alien Cards
You can show the following documents to prove that you are taking part in a government assistance program or use them as proof of active benefits:
- Statement of benefits from a qualifying Program.
- Notice letter of participation, such as an award letter
- Program participation documents, such as a screenshot from an online account.
- In order to show income, you can provide any of the following proofs:
- Unemployment Documentation
- Copy of your State or Federal income tax return.
- Three months’ worth of current pay stubs.
- Veterans Administration or SSI benefits letter.
- A divorce decree or child support document that states income.
- Retirement or pension statement.
Need More Than Just One Line of Service or an Additional Phone?
EASY Wireless is a full-service cellular store that cares about all of your communication needs. We have a wide range of pre-paid plans for every budget and usage requirement. Also, we offer a selection of brand-name phones that combine quality, reliability, and the latest technology.
That’s not all – we also provide an array of amazing accessories to enhance your mobile experience. At EASY Wireless, we’re dedicated to providing exceptional service and ensuring you find the perfect plan, phone, and accessories to suit your lifestyle and preferences.
Visit us for all your cell phone and wireless service needs today!
