The background
Manos de Cristo provides adults and children with low-cost dental care, educational opportunities, and emergency food and clothing relief. Its annual back to school program prepares over 1,500 pre-K through fifth grade students for the school year with new clothing and school supplies.
According to a Manos de Cristo news release, parents were expected to spend an average of $661 per child in grades K-12 on back-to-school purchases in 2022. That number was up from $612 in 2021 according to a 2022 Deloitte Back-to-School Survey, which also found that prepandemic spending per child was $519 in 2019.
Know before you go
- The first 350 children will be served per day while supplies last.
- Children will receive a new backpack, new clothing (underwear, socks and T-shirts) and limited school supplies, and must be present to participate.
- Parents or guardians must show an ID and have their child’s clothing size, name of school and grade.
The program is funded through gifts from individuals, churches and businesses in Central Texas. A $60 donation helps prepare one child for school, and 100% of every dollar donated goes directly back into the program. Visit https://manosdecristo.org/donatebts for more information.
Quote of note
“Families look forward to the Manos de Cristo Back-to-School Program each year as many would be unable to obtain the tools needed to start the school year,” a Manos de Cristo news release stated. “Without the same supplies as their peers, children can feel anxious and less confident.”
