As back-to-school season has come, many parents feel anxiety from the rising costs of their child’s school supplies. According to CBS News, back-to-school supply spending has increased 22% since 2019. Along with this increase in supply spending, inflation has also increased, causing the price of school supplies to increase by 15% to 30%. To alleviate this financial burden for families and prevent them from accruing debt, the International WeLoveU Foundation volunteers from across the United States united to donate backpacks and school supplies for students in need through the Packs on Backs and Tools for Schools program.   

The WeLoveU volunteers partnered with Flower City School No. 54 in Rochester, NY. It’s the first donation ceremony in the area. On Thursday, August 17, 2023, 18 volunteers distributed backpacks and school supplies to 198 students from kindergarten to sixth grade. The school supplies include notebooks, folders, crayons, pencils, and glue sticks. In-kind donations were generously provided by Staples, Plug, and other supporters. WeLoveU’s hope is for students and families to focus on their academics rather than how to afford supplies.  

Gratitude From All Attending Parties

Principal Lawton-Greggs expressed her gratitude to the WeLoveU Foundation for organizing the ceremony for students at School No. 54. “Being ready includes having all of the resources our students need. That is our focus today. We have partnered with an organization whose mission aligns with ours to support our students and families, to empower the community, and to give back,” she said.  

United States Representative of New York Joseph Morelle also joined the volunteers of the WeLoveU Foundation. He said, “We love that you’ve come to town, that you do work around the world and the United States. You’ve selected Rochester as just one of the eleven cities where you’re doing this backpack work. It means a lot to us. We’re very grateful to the staff, volunteers, and people who helped raise the dollars to make this a reality. This will profoundly impact the lives of the children, the parents with them, and the caregivers.” 

He continued, “The simple truth is, every single child, no matter where they come from, no matter what they look like, no matter their abilities, deserves the absolute best opportunities to be successful. Making sure that students have access to the things they need: backpacks, pads, pencils, things that sometimes people may overlook but are essential to a child’s success and development throughout the year. That’s why we are so grateful to WeLoveU and all the amazing work they do around the world. It’s organizations like this that give us hope and give us faith that there’s a brighter tomorrow. I think the continuing presence and influence of the WeLoveU Foundation is going to be felt profoundly for a long time to come.”  

Former student and current WeLoveU volunteer Bianca Carrasquillo expressed how thankful she was to give back to the school that once helped her in her academic path. “Having gone to this school for six years and coming from a household where a single mother of three children raised me, I know how difficult it was for my mother to ensure we each had a backpack and all the supplies our teachers said we needed for the school year. Unfortunately, we didn’t have an organization like the International WeLoveU Foundation to help us then. So, to be a part of this organization and know that we are making a direct impact in the students’ lives and their families it’s truly an honor,” said Bianca.   

Looking to the Future

WeLoveU hopes to raise awareness and provide solutions to the challenges people face nationally regarding back-to-school spending. In doing so, the Packs on Backs program aims to close the income and achievement gap. As a global family, WeLoveU will continue serving the community with a mother’s love and inspire others to join. In 2023, the International WeLoveU Foundation will donate backpacks to schools in California, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Texas, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.