WAYNE COUNTY, Mich. – Back-to-school shopping can quickly add up for families, creating a financial burden as kids prepare for the new year.
To help ease that strain, Local 4 is partnering with the Salvation Army of Downriver for the “Go 4 It” school supply drive this Thursday, Aug. 14.
Crystal Mullins, a single mom from Wyandotte, knows the challenges well.
She is raising her five-year-old daughter, Trae’lynn, who is starting kindergarten, and 6-year-old Romeo on a tight budget.
“This summer has been all about playing and having fun,” Mullins said. But as fall approaches, the focus shifts to school.
Mullins said having both kids in school makes it easier for her to work, but the cost of backpacks, pencils, and notebooks can be a real burden.
“I don’t get any Section 8 or anything like that. I pay all my own bills, so it’s definitely a stress,” Mullins said. “But I’m a firm believer that my kids have everything they need.”
Lt. Shawn Sutter Sr. of the Salvation Army stated that the Downriver area serves approximately 350,000 people, and the need for school supplies is greater than ever.
The Go 4 It drive will collect new school supplies at the Walmart on Dix Toledo Road in Southgate this Thursday.
Donations will go directly to families like Mullins’, helping kids start the school year prepared and proud.
“It definitely takes some of the weight off when you need to provide so many other things,” Mullins said. “It’s definitely a benefit to have a community-based organization that’s going to look out for us.”
For Trae’lynn, stepping into a classroom for the first time, having the right supplies means she can focus on the excitement of learning rather than worry about not having enough.
“I love my kids so much. It is extremely hard,” Mullins said. “Stuff like this shows that people generally care about our kids because at the end of the day, that’s what it’s about — the kids. It helps me, but it definitely helps them. They get to go to school knowing they have everything they need.”
Community members are encouraged to scan the QR code below for a full list of needed supplies and to bring donations to the Walmart in Southgate on Thursday.