Back-To-School For Less

his year, parents can expect to pay as much as 6 percent more to purchase school supplies for their students, according to the 2012 Huntington Backpack Index issued by Huntington Bank.

The company’s annual survey of the cost of school supply items found a 3.4 percent increase for elementary school items; 5.8 percent increase for middle school and 2.2 percent for high school.

Several organizations in the metro Detroit area are hosting events that feature free school supply giveaways to help parents avoid these costs. Here are a list of some of them below:

Saturday, Aug. 18

Operation: Kid Equip, "Backpackpalooza" 

• Seminole Academy, 1500 Mulberry St., Mount Clemens
• 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Free backpacks, school supplies and books for 1,000 students.

Saturday, Aug. 18-Monday, Aug. 20

Teacher Appreciation Days at Office Max

Schoolteachers can purchase school supplies for a discount at area Office Max locations. 

Wednesday, Aug. 22

DPS/Comcast Back-to-School Parade

• Grand Circus Park, Woodward Avenue, Detroit
• 11 a.m.

All Detroit Public Schools will participate in the DPS/Comcast Back-to-School Parade in downtown Detroit. Limited backpack vouchers and uniform vouchers from Forman Mills will be issued and redeemable at the DPS All-Schools Open House, Saturday, Aug. 25.

Back to School Bingo

• Milford Public Library, 330 Family Drive, Milford
• 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m.
• 248-684-0845

Students in grades K-5 can try to win school supplies, such as pencils, crayons, notebooks, and more.

Thursday, Aug. 23

Wayne County Health and Safety Fun Fest 

• Wayne County Department of Public Health, 33030 Van Born, Wayne
• 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
• 313-224-0436

Free book bags filled with school supplies and some with special giveaways will be given to the first 300 school-aged children. The event also features an array of vendors, a bicycle and bike helmet giveaway, farmer's market, food and refreshments, face painting, entertainment and lots of healthy, family fun.

Friday, Aug. 24

Back to School/Stay in School  Education Day

• Delores Bennett Park, Beaubien St., Detroit
• 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

The Detroit Branch NAACP, the DPS and Black Family Development Inc. will host their Back to School/Stay in School  Education Day, featuring refreshments, a school supplies giveaway, and entertainment for kids ages 6-17.

Saturday, Aug. 25

All-DPS Schools Open House and Alumni Celebration 

• All Detroit Public schools 
• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

All Detroit Public schools will be open and staff will be on hand. Kids will have an opportunity to explore programs and get free school items.