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As the back-to-school season approaches, families with school-age children across Washington are bracing themselves for the inevitable financial strain. For many, the cost of school supplies adds an extra layer of stress to an already challenging time. While some students look forward to picking out new backpacks, notebooks and pencils, others are faced with a stark reality: their families can’t afford these necessities.
The rising cost of school supplies has become a pressing concern at kitchen tables across Washington. From pens and pencils to backpacks and binders, the cost of these items can quickly add up throughout the year, putting a significant burden on low- and middle-income families. For some, the expense of outfitting their children for the school year means making tough choices between paying bills, buying groceries or purchasing supplies.
This is where local back-to-school supply drives and "stuff the bus" events play a crucial role. These community-driven events aim to alleviate some of the financial pressure by collecting and distributing essential school supplies to those in need. Supporting these events is more than just a charitable act; it's a necessary step toward ensuring that every child has the tools they need to succeed in school.
I remember when my wife started teaching in the Centralia School District. She would call me at work almost weekly to help with students who didn’t have school supplies to complete their classwork and lacked weather-appropriate clothing for recess. I would help donate through my law office Althauser Rayan Abbarno, reach out to other local businesses like Tom Alderson at Awards West, or just buy the needed items myself. We knew our approach was not sustainable without getting more organized and reaching out to the community and sponsors for the necessary support.
More than a decade ago, my wife, Holly, and I started the annual Centralia Back-to-School Supply Drive and the annual stuff-the-bus event at Walmart in Chehalis to help local students and their families. We seek donations and sponsors all year long; organize the stuff-the-bus event at Walmart in Chehalis; and then distribute supplies to the schools and counselors, so that the students and families who most need assistance can access it through their schools.
Thus far this year, the Centralia Back to School Supply drive stuff-the-bus event collected over $3,000 (and we are still raising money), plus successfully stuffed the bus with supplies. This was all due to the amazing community support, dedicated volunteers and our faithful sponsors, which included KELA-KMNT Radio, The Chronicle, the staff at the City of Centralia, the Centralia-Chehalis Transportation Co-Op, the Centralia School District, Alderson’s Awards West, The Truss Company, Althauser Rayan Abbarno, Dick’s Brewing Company, NW Sausage and Deli and the United Way of Lewis County.
Our volunteers are the driving force that make these efforts successful, including my wife, Holly, who spends countless hours organizing, collecting, sorting and distributing supplies; Julie Pendleton with Dick’s Brewing Company, who generously helps sort and organize supplies at her business; and this year’s superstar volunteer, Brianna Hernandez Perez, Centralia ASB treasurer, who volunteered her time to collect donation for her fellow classmates.
Investing in our children’s education means providing every student with the basic tools they need to learn and thrive. The students of today will be our community leaders of tomorrow. As we approach the new school year, let’s remember that the success of our children is a shared responsibility. By actively participating in and supporting local back-to-school supply drives, we take a crucial step toward bridging this gap.
We collect donations and supplies year-round. If you are interested in supporting the Centralia Back-to-School Supply Drive, contact Holly Abbarno at hollyabbarno@yahoo.com or make a donation to the United Way of Lewis County, c/o Centralia Supply Drive, 450 NW Pacific Ave., Chehalis, WA, 98532.
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State Rep. Peter Abbarno is a 20th District lawmaker and a Centralia-based attorney.
