Back to School Event Gives Families School Supplies

Two Fulton County organizations joined forces to provide families with school supplies and haircuts for students just days before classes resume on Aug. 4.

The Fulton County Office of Children and Youth and Fulton County Health and Wellness were at Atlanta Technical College on July 29 dishing out backpacks, free haircuts, and back to school information to parents and guardians. Hundreds of families turned out for the event, taking advantage of an opportunity to lessen the rising costs of school supplies.

According to the Huntingdon Bank’s Annual Backpack Index, school supply costs for kindergartners are 11 percent higher than 2013, and middle school supplies cost 20 percent more than they did last year. High school students will see a 5 percent increase in school supply costs.

During the July 29 event, 224 students received free haircuts, and 300 brought home free school supplies, Fulton County government said in a press release.

“I hope our efforts will help these young people and their parents prepare to start a productive new school year on the right note”, said Fulton County Commission Chairman John H. Eaves, adding “Many of them now have some of the tools they need to do their best in the classroom.”