Winnipeg parents, students noticing higher prices for school supplies

Parents and students in Winnipeg are feeling the financial pinch of back-to-school shopping.

They say things are noticeably more expensive this year – in part due to inflation.

CityNews took the supplies lists from two separate divisions and went back-to-school shopping to find out how much it costs.

Both schools were charging a flat fee per student for supplies to make the return to school cheaper on parents.

One school was asking for $50 a student. Another asked for $35.

On top of that flat fee, there were other items required that weren’t included like indoor shoes, backpacks, lunch kits, pencil cases and headphones.

CityNews perused the aisles of Staples and Walmart and covered the rest of the items on the list for $106 without tax – with most items at higher prices.

“Pencils and dividers are more expensive than they were last year,” said student Kellan, who was doing his back-to-school shopping. “I’m going to be broke.”

“Walking into a supply store, it’s insane seeing all these prices go way up,” said Jeremiah Magalona, who was shopping for supplies for his little brother.

Magalona says education is a paramount, and he’d like to see essential school supplies spared from price hikes and inflation.

“You can’t get quality stuff for cheap you know? It’s been very difficult. Education is really important, especially nowadays.”

Helping ease financial burden of back-to-school

Family Dynamics is an organization that has been collecting donations of backpacks, shoes, pencils and other back-to-school necessities for families in need this year.

They’re urging those in need to reach out if they need help this semester.

“We have some very large families in the community as well, five, six kids,” said Mary Garroni, the group’s family and community development coordinator. “So the costs add up.

“The cost of everything is going up, so if there is any way we can help in terms of eliminating at least one cost here or there.”

ArtsJunktion Manitoba is also doing what it can to ease the back-to-school process.

The group has a pay-what-you can program for supplies. The program was used 200 times last August. This August, it’s already been used 700 times.

While they can’t attribute that all to back-to-school shopping, executive director Helga Jakobson says the majority of materials that leave their space are for school settings.

She says a pack of pencil crayons costing roughly $15 in stores goes for $1.75 at ArtsJunktion.

“There should never be barriers to the creative process and we want to support as many people as possible,” said Jakobson. “So it’s not a requirement to pay for materials that are taken away.”

Manitoba students head back to class Sept. 7.