Every year, about this time, we see the stores filling with school supplies, the promises of hopes and dreams of a good education, good teachers, and great experiences for our children.
We anxiously await the sales, plan our shopping very carefully, sometimes even going to the store an hour or so earlier to try to beat the shoppers that will be jamming the isles while they are doing their restocking and looking for the items on their childs back to school supply list.
So here is my beef:
Just today, the San Antonio Freecycle moderators had to put up a post stating NOT TO ASK FOR CHARITY SUPPLIES, then they provided a link for people to get free supplies.
Below, color changed for clarity, is a copy of the letter that came in my email.
Greetings!
We know times are tough for most everyone these days but we are receiving many posts asking for school supplies. We want to remind you that Freecycle is here to keep things from going to the landfill, not a charity. Asking for used clothing, backpacks, ect is fine but asking for paper, pencils, ect is not. Due to this, all wanted posts are going to be more closely watched and edited.
Thank you and have a wonderful day!
Your San Antonio Freecycle Moderators
ARE YOU KIDDING ME???!!!???
Every single parent with a school age child knows this is something that has to be done every year. Is there really any reason for this begging for free supplies stuff???
If you have a child, why can't you put away $1.00 a week per child into a special school supplies fund?
I have been checking my daughter's school website on a weekly basis since February waiting for the 2012-2013 supply list to come out.
I know that in June the supplies will be stocked up, I also know that starting in Late July those same stores will be putting these items on sale.
And I am one of the lucky ones that lives in a state that will give me a tax free weekend on top of all of that. But I am seriously not going to sit in the lines for 2 hours just to save 8 cents on the dollar on a 17 cent item. Just pay the damn tax. really.
Let me give you a preview of what I was able to purchase today:
6 of the folders (one in each color for all her classes) at $0.15 each. 0.90
2 10 count packages of the ink pens at $0.50 each. +1.00
A pencil sharpener with the cap at $0.77 each. +0.77
20 count package of #2 pencils at $1.14 a box +1.14
2 packages of the Avery tab dividers at $0.88 each +1.76
6 of the 1 subject themebooks at $0.17 cents each +1.02
5 packages of 150 sheet count wide ruled paper @ $0.80 each +4.00
_______________________
GRAND TOTAL: $10.59
This amount is before taxes. She now has 90% of her school supplies at just over $10.00.
I know people that spend that in coffee and soda A DAY!!
What is wrong with these people?
What is wrong with these people?
Why can't they prepare? Why wait till the last minute then complain about the time and cost of what they know they have to do.
Please Mom, Dad, Grandparents, Favorite Aunties and Uncles. Just find out what your local school is, print a generic list. Get some of those supplies and keep them on hand.
I am getting a 2nd load of supplies next week to cover the mid term restock that is going to be required.
If you have a child that is only 3 or 4, start getting them supplies now.
Hell, even Walmart has printer paper around the $2.50 point. How many of you have home offices? That is a great deal on paper.
Crayons can be purchased for at little as $0.25. Crayola brand colored pencils are as low as $0.97 cents. Just get it all now, and hold it for a year if you have too.
I even found Scientific calculators (required in 6th, 7th, an 8th grade) at the local Dollar Tree. Whew, just saved $11.00 - $70.00 there. Since it is only a buck, we can afford it if it gets lost or stolen. I may have to go back and get a few more that she can share with friends?
I know that total I will make about 3 - 4 runs for supplies this summer, but, I won't have to go in December when all the prices have gone back up. I may not have to go at all next year as she will still have stock from this year.
And, God (ess) forbid that any of her classmates meet tragedy such as fire, emergency move, etc, I will have enough suplies on hand that I can pull together a starter bag to help that child get back to school. All for around $10.00.
Any one who knows me is aware that right now I have no job. I am unemployed, broke, out of scratch, etc. But I knew I would have to get supplies. So, when I was working, I stocked up what I could and put some money away.
My daughter is not going to be brand new label clothing. She knows this. I want to give it to her, but she is 11. Why does she need $50.00 jeans? I can go to Goodwill, support a charity, maybe get that same label jean for $4.99. She is only going to grow out of it in a few months anyway.
I am just really angry and pissed off that for as cheap as school supplies are, and for as much time and knowledge as we have to get it all together, there are still people who expect something for nothing. That is damn shameful.
It is to the point that no one takes responsibilty for themselves and their actions anymore, then expects then general populace to bail them out.
I don't want to see a kid suffer in school for lack of supplies, but the parents need to get it together.
Or better yet, since school uniforms are becoming the norm, why can't the school also get backpacks with the school logo, fill it with the needed supplies, then sell it for 15% over their cost? Even Walmart.com has a bundle that has basic supplies and a back pack for a low price. It would be a great fundraiser for the PTA.
Keep in mind, it is only the basics, but it is a good start.
Get it in gear people. You have 12-13 years of school supplies ahead of you if your kids are just starting. The rest of you have done this long enough to know better.
