Nearly 1,000 children walked away from Life Church in Wesley Chapel on Aug. 1 with new shoes, backpacks and school supplies, all free, 12 days before Pasco County's first day of school.

AdventHealth Wesley Chapel partnered with Life Church for the church's annual Back-to-School Outreach, donating 450 pairs of new shoes and sending volunteers to help distribute supplies throughout the morning, The Laker/Lutz News reported.

"The climate we're living in, the economy, so many families are making sacrifices. This shouldn't have to be one of them," said Earl Watson, an AdventHealth Wesley Chapel volunteer who helped hand out shoes at the event.

Rising Supply Costs Are Squeezing Families Harder This Year

The giveaway comes as back-to-school costs squeeze local families harder than in previous years. According to the National Education Association, as reported by Bay News 9, supply chain disruptions and tariffs have pushed prices on common classroom items like notebooks and index cards up 17% to 42% compared with prior years. A recent survey cited by Tampa Bay 28 found families expect to spend about $130 less on back-to-school shopping in 2026 as higher everyday costs strain budgets.

Why Life Church Started the Annual Giveaway

Life Church leader Natalie Dougherty said the outreach started a couple of years ago after leaders recognized a need in the community for students to return to school with new shoes and backpacks. She said the goal is for kids to walk into the classroom confidently, with proper gear, free from worry about being made fun of.

The event brings together churches, businesses, volunteers and nonprofit organizations each summer. This year, nearly 1,000 children participated in the drive.

More Back-to-School Help Still Available Locally

Pasco County Schools' first day for the 2026-27 academic year is Thursday, Aug. 13. Families still looking for help can also donate to or benefit from Pasco County's Two Good Soles shoe drive, which accepts donations through Oct. 16, and Collide Community's supply giveaway scheduled for Aug. 8 in Avalon Park.