Some students are eager to get back in the classroom and see their friends - though others would rather summer never end - but one thing is true for all parents: Back-to-school shopping is not cheap.
A set of basic school supplies, even from discount retailers, can cost $40 and up, said Elizabeth Vereecke, program officer at the Tulsa Community Foundation.
The foundation operates PASS, the Partnership for the Availability of School Supplies, which provides free school supplies for every student at 52 elementary schools in Tulsa Public and Union school districts.
Elementary schools where at least 75 percent of the students qualify for the free or reduced lunch program receive PASS supplies.
This year the program is expanding to include teachers, as well. Each teacher at those schools will get a classroom set of basic supplies when school starts this month.
"A lot of those teachers would reach into their pockets (for supplies)," Tulsa Community Foundation CEO Phil Lakin said. "Many times, teachers can't afford to do that."
About 26,000 students get free supplies each year, and since PASS started in 1997, the total number of students who have benefited from the program is more than 260,000, Vereecke said.
Restore Hope Ministries has been collecting and distributing school supplies for families in need since the late 1980s, when it started with a donation of $300.
"It started on a very small scale. It's grown today to the set of supplies we give out costs about $30," said Sandy Milner, office manager at Restore Hope who also coordinates special events.
Last year about 2,600 people received free school supplies during the two-day event at Restore Hope, Milner said, and this year's number is expected to be about the same, if not higher.
"Their last day of school is when we start planning for the beginning of school," she said.
Back-to-school assistance
What: Back 2 School Mission, with school supplies, haircuts, clothing, eyesight screenings and immunizations
Where: New Heights Church, 106 N. Main St., Owasso
When: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday
Bring: Shot records, if being immunized
Eligible: Anyone
For more: Call 918-274-1725
What: Owasso Community Resources is registering families to receive free school supplies, and free backpacks are available on a first-come, first-served basis
Where: McDonald's on 76th Street North and Owasso Expressway
When: 3-7 p.m. Thursday
Bring: Photo ID, proof of income and enrollment
Eligible: Owasso Public School students who meet income guidelines
For more: Call 918-272-4969
What: Back to School Bash with free school supplies, bags, haircuts, immunizations, children's activities and food
Where: Tulsa Technology Center, 4600 S. Olive St., Broken Arrow
Sponsors: Broken Arrow Police Department, Broken Arrow Neighbors and Tulsa Technology Center
When: 9 a.m. to noon Saturday
Bring: Current immunization records
Eligible: Students in Broken Arrow Public Schools or Union Public Schools
For more: Call 918-251-7781
What: Back to School Rally with free school supplies, haircuts, gently used clothing and health information
Where: First Baptist Church of Coweta, 15296 Oklahoma 72, Coweta
When: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday
Bring: Proof of enrollment
Eligible: Students in Coweta, Porter and Haskell schools
For more: Call 918-486-2158
What: Back 2 School Bash with free school supplies, backpacks and haircuts
Where: Landing Community Church, 596 W. 141st St., Glenpool
When: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday
Eligible: Glenpool, Kiefer, Mounds and Liberty Mounds public schools students
For more: Call 918-321-2300
What: School supplies
Where: Restore Hope Ministries, 2960 Charles Page Blvd.
When: 9:30-11:30 a.m. and 12:30-2:30 p.m. Aug. 6-10; 9:30-11:30 a.m. Aug. 13-17
Bring: Social Security cards for parent/guardian and child, photo identification for parent, name of school and grade of student
Eligible: Tulsa County kindergarten through high school students
For more information: 918-582-5766
What: Free haircuts
Where: Clary Sage College, 3131 S. Sheridan Road
When: 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Aug. 9-10
For more information: 918-298-8200
What: Klothes for Kids Back to School Festival with free school supplies, backpacks, clothing, immunizations, activities and food
Where: John 3:16 Family Mission Youth Center, 2027 N. Cincinnati Ave.
When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 11
Bring: Current immunization records, Social Security cards for children
Eligible: Tulsa-area students
For more information: 918-592-1186
What: Free haircuts
Where: Oklahoma Technical College, 4444 S. Sheridan Road
When: 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Aug. 15-16
For more information: 918-895-7500
What: Annual Barber Cutt-Off with free haircuts
Where: Tulsa Technology Center Peoria Campus, 3850 N. Peoria Ave.
When: Registration 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 18. Haircuts 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 19
First days of school, 2012-13
Aug. 6: Tulsa (continuous learning)
Aug. 9: Berryhill, Claremore, Skiatook, Sperry
Aug. 15: Glenpool
Aug. 16: Jenks, Owasso
Aug. 17: Bixby
Aug. 20: Sand Springs, Sapulpa, Tulsa (traditional), Union
Aug. 23: Broken Arrow
Sara Plummer 918-581-8465
sara.plummer@tulsaworld.com
Original Print Headline: PASS set to give free school supplies
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