CARLISLE, PENNSYLVANIA — Affordable Pennsylvania and Hope Station joined Capitol-area families, students, volunteers, and community partners Saturday for a Back-to-School Bash at Memorial Park, providing more than $3,000 worth of school supplies to help local families prepare for the upcoming school year.

The event brought families together for an afternoon of school supply giveaways, free food, entertainment, games, activities, and community resources. The event also highlighted the growing pressure that rising costs are putting on household budgets, with working Pennsylvanians paying more than $3,900 more per year for necessities including groceries, gas, and health care.

See more photos from the event here.

The Back-to-School Bash was held in partnership with Unrig Our Economy as part of its “Republican Price Tag” campaign, which highlights the rising cost of necessities under President Trump andRep. Scott Perry’s support for the Republican Tax Law, tariffs, and the war in Iran as policies that are contributing to higher costs for families.

The higher costs are showing up in families’ back-to-school budgets. School supplies are up 7.7%, with notebooks up 23% and lunch boxes up nearly 27%. School lunch staples are up 10.9%, while children’s footwear is up 4.7%. Gas prices around $4 a gallon are also making it more expensive to get kids to school, activities, and childcare. And the costs don’t stop once school starts: households nationwide expect to spend an additional $635 a month on recurring expenses such as meals, snacks, and tutoring.

“Families shouldn’t have to choose between buying school supplies for their kids and paying for the other essentials they need to get through the month,” said Rachele Fortier, Executive Director of Affordable Pennsylvania. “Today was about showing up for our neighbors and providing some direct relief, but families deserve more than a one-day event. They deserve an economy where they can afford the basics and need their elected leaders to be focused on making that possible. Rep. Scott Perry, your agenda must include helping kids get what they need to go to school!”

Affordable Pennsylvania is calling on elected leaders to address the rising cost of everyday necessities and support policies that make health care, groceries, housing, energy, and other essentials more affordable for Pennsylvania families.

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