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Back-to-School Support for Southern Nevada Families
For a lot of families in Southern Nevada, the start of the school year isn't just about picking out a new backpack. It's a stretch of weeks where rent, utilities, and groceries suddenly have to compete with school supply lists, new shoes, and registration fees—expenses that show up all at once and don't leave much room to breathe.
At Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada, August is one of the times we hear from families most. Parents doing everything right are still coming up short, not because they aren't trying, but because the math of back-to-school season simply doesn't add up for a lot of household budgets. We want every child in our community to walk into their first day of school ready to learn, and that takes a community stepping up together.
The Real Cost of Going Back to School
School supply lists have grown longer and pricier in recent years, and for families already stretching every paycheck, those costs land at the worst possible time—right as summer camp bills wind down and the school year's own expenses begin. Add in the cost of groceries, and it's easy to see how a household that was managing fine in June can find itself in crisis mode by August.
This is exactly the kind of pressure point our Family Services team sees play out every year. A missed supply list or an empty pantry at home doesn't just affect a parent's stress level—it follows a child straight into the classroom, making it harder to focus, participate, and feel like they belong.
Where Families Can Turn for Help
If your family is feeling the squeeze this back-to-school season, you don't have to figure it out alone. A few of the resources available through Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada include:
Food assistance
Our Hands of Hope Community Food Pantry gives registered families the ability to choose fresh produce, pantry staples, and other essentials once a month, and our St. Vincent Lied Dining Facility offers meals for anyone who walks through the door.
School supply and clothing donations
Depending on availability, Catholic Charities accepts and distributes donated school supplies, clothing, and hygiene items to families preparing for the school year.
Family support services
Our team can help connect families facing a temporary setback, whether that's a job loss or an unexpected bill, to resources and referrals that ease the pressure during a tight month.
If you're not sure where to start, calling our main line at 702.385.2662 is often the fastest way to get pointed in the right direction.
How the Community Can Help Students Succeed
Every year, this is where Southern Nevada shows up. Here's how you can be part of it:
Host or contribute to a school supply drive. Backpacks, notebooks, pencils, and folders are always needed, and a drive at your workplace, church, or neighborhood is one of the simplest ways to get a whole group involved at once.
Donate food for the pantry shelves. Non-perishable staples like pasta, canned goods, and oatmeal go a long way for families balancing back-to-school costs with everyday groceries, and they're shopped monthly by pantry clients.
A donation helps fund everything from emergency family assistance to the programs that keep our pantry and dining facility running for families who need them most.
Sorting donations, packing school supply kits, or helping at a food distribution are all hands-on ways to make a direct impact on a family's first day of school.
Not everyone knows these resources exist. Sharing this post or simply mentioning it to a neighbor, coworker, or your kids' school PTA can connect a family to help they didn't know was available.
A Fresh Start Shouldn't Depend on a Family's Budget
Every child deserves to start the school year with what they need, and every parent deserves support instead of judgment when money is tight. That's the work Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada does year-round, and back-to-school season is one of the moments our community can make the biggest difference, fastest.
If your family needs support this month, or if you're looking for a way to give back, visit us at catholiccharities.com or call (702) 385-2662. Together, we can make sure every student in Southern Nevada starts the year ready to succeed.