Annual back-to-school giveaway helps families amid inflation, rising cost

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Hundreds of Albuquerque parents got some much-needed help Sunday making sure their children are ready to go back to school, and they didn’t have to spend a single penny.

Children got some free school supplies Sunday at Civic Plaza in downtown Albuquerque.

“This is really great it helps us a lot, a lot,” said Cassaundra Riley, parent.

Especially with inflation and the cost of almost everything from gas to groceries on the rise, she says it’s saving her a lot of money. 

“This is a really big help because I live on one side of town and I go to my place on the other side of town, so the gas is really outrageous,” said Riley.  

The city held its 5th annual “Cruzin’ Into the School Year” event, providing free haircuts, clothes vouchers, and backpacks filled with school supplies.  

“We’re looking to actually give out about 3,500 backpacks so as many as we can and we’re hoping we can get rid of all of them,” said Ziarra Kirksey with CABQ Family And Community Services Department.

Kirksey says the event is more important now than ever.  

“With the increase and rise in cost of living, just in general, this at least can take a little bit of load off the parents right? Haircuts, that went up, backpacks, school supplies, everything has gone up so if we can just take a little bit off that’s our goal,” said Kirksey.