As the summer vacation comes to an end, many parents face the financial strain of buying their children’s supplies for the new school year. In the U.S., back to school supplies cost now more than ever: according to the Labor Department, the cost has increased by 24.5% over the past four years.

According to a 2024 survey by Deloitte, parents must navigate a cost-of-living squeeze and expect to spend an average of $586 per K-12 student, nearly $60 more 2020. This financial burden can exacerbate the pressure on families living on a tight budget. As the cost of maintaining a household with children continues to soar, so do the concrete needs of our community.

To provide some needed relief to families, on Friday, August 9th, 2024, from 2pm-6pm, Whittier Street Health Center will hold its 21st annual Back to School BBQ in the health center parking lot. The Back to School BBQ has been a Whittier tradition since 2003, providing the students in our community with materials needed to ensure they are ready for the start of the school year. The event is also an opportunity for Whittier families to connect and enjoy their community with a day of food, fun and celebration. Children and families are invited to come and enjoy the cookout, along with bouncy houses, a DJ, snow cones, popcorn and cotton candy!

Whittier’s patient population are from diverse backgrounds; 92% of them live below 200% of the U.S. poverty level, additionally 83% of them live in public housing. Whittier’s community events, such as our Back to School BBQ, are important because they offer families critical support to help boost their children’s self-esteem and academic success. This year, we will be giving away backpacks and school supplies to children under the age of 18.