COme every year, September brings with it the smell of the new pages, the emotion of the first days of school and the race for last minute purchases. Together with all this, however, It also carries accounts that make the wrists tremble. According to the Federconsumatori National Observatory, this year the school expenses engaged families for over 650 euros, to which at least 500 euros were added for textbooks. Figures that for many families represent a mountain to climb and that only thanks to the various solidarity initiatives they can be supported. Among these, four projects have just distributed, scattered throughout the national territory, which are already collecting adhesions and donations to ensure that No child arrives unprepared on the first day of school.
School expenses, the “suspended backpack” returns
The idea is as simple as effective: enter the postcard, bookcase or supermarket and leave something for those who need it. This is the heart of the “Suspended backpack“the initiative promoted by the Italian Lions of the 108 Italy Multidisty, now in its third edition. Throughout the national territory, More than 1,500 collection points are active. Here anyone can give pens, backpacks, dictionaries, notebooks, cases: new materials or in excellent condition that could make a difference in a child’s school life. Lions volunteers then take care of collecting everything And, collaborating with local associations and parishes, they deliver the material to the families who need it. The peculiarity of the project is its duration: does not have an “expiry date”. The collection points remain active throughout the school year 2025-2026, allowing donations and withdrawals when there is need.
The government focuses on free books
Concrete signs also arrive from the Ministry of Education and merit. Minister Giuseppe Valditara announced during the question time to the Chamber of Deputies, the increase of the fund intended for textbooks for less well -off families. “Measures are at the study of measures such as the introduction of a tax credit for the purchase of books”, explained the minister, who also made a permanent table with the Italian publisher association to find a balance between the didactic and economic needs of families. Complementary projects have already been activated in different regions, such as the introduction of voucher for the purchase of school texts.
27% of Italian minors are at risk of social exclusion, but organized solidarity respond with concrete initiatives (Getty)
When the shopping becomes a gift
September 13 restarts Also “Give the spending on school“, The initiative of Coop Alleanza 3.0 which last year collected 170 thousand packs of school products. The appointment involves 220 points of sale and about 250 bodies and associations distributed on the territories of the cooperative. The mechanism is runato: on Saturday the volunteers of the participating realities distribute shoppers compostable to customers, who can buy notebooks, markers, pencils, pens, temperaties, paper refers and other educational materials to be allocated to beneficiary families. This year it is also possible to participate through EasyCoop, The online spending serviceuntil September 28th. For the members of the cooperative there are also direct discounts: 15% on the cover price of textbooks and, for those who spend 30 euros in the stationery department, a 10 euro discount coupon to be used by 8 October.
The desire bench supports school expenses
From today until September 14, Back the “Wishes bench“the project born from the collaboration between Mission Children and Feltrinelli Libraries. The initiative is aimed at students between 3 and 14 who live in contexts of socio-economic difficulties in the suburbs of the main Italian cities. The numbers that prompted to create this project are eloquent: In Italy over 27% of minors are at risk of poverty and social exclusionand more than a million children live in conditions of absolute poverty. So, this weekend, In 125 Feltrinelli bookstores of 84 cities It will be possible to add to your purchases notebooks, pens, pencils, dictionaries, illustrated books, educational games, puzzles and plush, all carefully selected by booksellers. Simple but essential products that for many students remain inaccessible. Mission Children then takes care of collecting and distributing all the material donated to schools Primary, first grade secondary and childhood centers that welcome the most fragile students. In the six previous editions 70 thousand products were collected for a total value of over 275 thousand euros.
Caritas: accompaniment beyond economic support
Also Caritas relaunches the campaign “Caritas returns to class“the initiative is aimed at families with children between 11 and 18 years of age who attend middle and high schools. In this case, It is not a single national programbut one Network of local projects promoted by the various diocesan Caritas. The route includes an interview with a operator, after which Families receive a form to be presented in the bookstore for the purchase of textbooks. But the most interesting aspect is the accompaniment. Caritas volunteers and operators alongside parents throughout the process, transforming a moment of difficulty into an experience of human closeness.
A different September for many families
These four initiatives, each with its own methods and timing, show that there is a support network for families in difficulty. From the Lions that coordinate the widespread collection of the “suspended backpack” to the Feltrinelli bookstores that make their spaces available. From the large distribution of Coop Alleanza to the diocesan Caritas that accompany step by step, all are weaves of a mosaic that is hoped can make this return to school less heavy for those who struggle to get to the end of the month. For those wishing to contribute, each initiative offers different methods of participation. From the direct donation of materials to the possibility of making purchases intended for others, from economic support to the time offer as a volunteer. After all, Sometimes it takes very little to make the difference. Even when it comes of a child’s school life.