The sight of empty backpack bins where donations should be flowing presents a troubling reality for New Brunswick’s food banks this summer. As the back-to-school season approaches, organizations across the province are reporting an unprecedented surge in families seeking assistance with school supplies, highlighting the growing financial pressures facing Canadian households.
“We’re seeing double the requests compared to last year,” explains Jasmine Thompson, director of the Fredericton Community Cupboard. “Parents are coming in with genuine anxiety about how they’ll manage to equip their children for school while still keeping food on the table.”
The trend extends beyond major urban centers into smaller communities throughout New Brunswick, where local food banks traditionally focused on nutritional support are rapidly expanding their services to include educational necessities. Volunteers report families beginning to inquire about school supplies as early as June—weeks earlier than in previous years.
Economic data supports what frontline workers are witnessing. According to Statistics Canada, New Brunswick’s inflation rate has consistently outpaced wage growth for the past 18 months, with essential household goods seeing some of the steepest price increases. School supplies have not been immune, with the average cost of equipping a middle-school student rising approximately 12% since 2022.
“The mathematics are becoming impossible for many families,” notes Dr. Eleanor Markham, economist at the University of New Brunswick. “When housing costs consume over 50% of household income, as they do for nearly a third of New Brunswick renters, even modest additional expenses like school supplies can trigger financial crisis.”
Food banks have responded by launching specialized collection drives, partnering with local businesses and community organizations to meet the escalating need. In Saint John, the Harbor Light Food Bank has converted its auxiliary storage room into a “School Supply Depot,” where families can select grade-appropriate materials with dignity.
“We’re trying to normalize the experience,” says Harbor Light director Robert Finley. “Children should feel excitement about returning to school, not shame about how they’re equipped.”
The provincial government has acknowledged the issue but offered limited direct assistance. A spokesperson for the Department of Education pointed to existing tax credits and the Student Success program, which provides some supplies to qualifying schools.
For many community organizations, however, these measures fall short of addressing immediate needs. Several have launched emergency fundraising campaigns, including “Pencils for People” in Moncton and “Fill the Bus” initiatives in multiple communities.
Experts warn this trend reflects deeper economic vulnerabilities. “Food banks becoming de facto school supply distributors signals a concerning expansion of precarity,” explains social policy researcher Dr. Amanda Chen. “We’re witnessing the normalization of charity as a substitute for adequate income supports.”
As September approaches, food bank directors remain concerned about meeting demand. Most report donation levels significantly below targets, with particular shortages in backpacks, scientific calculators, and art supplies.
“We’ll do everything possible to ensure no child starts school unprepared,” affirms Thompson. “But the broader question remains—in a country as wealthy as Canada, why are so many families forced to choose between adequate nutrition and educational necessities?”
As Canadian communities mobilize to address immediate needs, the situation in New Brunswick raises important questions about sustainable solutions to economic vulnerability. How might we redesign support systems to prevent families from facing impossible choices between basic necessities?
