MIDLAND-ODESSA, TX (KWES) - Back to school shopping is leaving a dent in the pocketbook of many, but schools say there's ways to help if you can't buy everything.
Study shows families are spending an average of over $600 in back to school shopping.
Families are rushing to get their their last minute back to school shopping done. Some say they are having trouble finding what they need, others, just can't buy it all.
We took a look at a few supply lists for local schools. One lists asked for a pair of black indoor slippers, others asked for headphones. School districts say these lists are reccommended.
We spoke to MISD and ECISD, they both said any parents who can't purchase all the supplies should be in touch with their child's teacher or counselor.
ECISD has a Community Outreach Center where parents can go and ask for help.
Programs like Casa de Amigos offers help to parents who are missing a few things on the list.
"We have a school supply drive that we do every year where we go to different companies and ask them to contribute different types of school supplies for grades K-12," said Community Relations Manager, Judith Motyka. "A lot of the companies give us filled backpacks, which is really great and other loose school supplies that we can distribute to students who need certain things."
The National Retail Federation shows Families with children in grades K-12 plan to spend an average $673.57 on apparel and accessories, electronics, shoes and school supplies. That's up from last year's $630.36. That's an increase of 9.6 percent from last year.
Many of viewers told us on Facebook that specific items are hard to find and students don't use all of them. Other parents said you're expecting another supply list home once school starts and some aren't having trouble bargain shopping or recycling supplies from last year.
Parents recommend shopping at dollar stores, local grocery stores and checking ads for reduced prices and sales to save a few extra bucks.
