{"id":21539,"date":"2026-08-24T17:48:28","date_gmt":"2026-08-24T21:48:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/apexforyouth.org\/?post_type=news&p=21539"},"modified":"2026-08-24T17:49:51","modified_gmt":"2026-08-24T21:49:51","slug":"back-to-school-sunset-park","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/apexforyouth.org\/vi\/news-and-announcements\/back-to-school-sunset-park\/","title":{"rendered":"Why We Give Out Free Back-to-School Supplies in Sunset Park"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Real Cost of Back-to-School<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Families across the U.S. expect to spend an average of $864<\/strong> on back-to-school shopping this year, with $146 going toward school supplies alone, according to the National Retail Federation<\/a>. It’s a cost most families budget for months in advance. But for low-income families, it’s not that simple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 2021, Apex for Youth<\/a> has hosted a Sunset Park Field Day for back-to-school season, so families can get the resources they need for September.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWith the closing of the Sunset Park Recreation Center due to construction in 2022, Apex sought to fill a gap in services and community engagement through a fun-filled field day. Year after year, Apex partners with local Brooklyn-based organizations to share relevant resources, host hands-on activities for kids of all ages, and provide free books and school supplies going into the upcoming school year. With the power of other nonprofits doing amazing work in the area, we are able to give back to a beautiful neighborhood and work to bring more and more resources to the Sunset Park community.\u201d \u2013 Heather Lee, Community Network Manager <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why We Do Back-to-School Field Day in Sunset Park<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sunset Park’s Community District (CD38)<\/a> closely mirrors the population Apex serves citywide, and the numbers explain why back-to-school season hits differently here:<\/p>\n\n\n\n