The Salvation Army of Plattsburgh and the Price Chopper stores in Champlain, Plattsburgh, Malone and Lake Placid are partnering to help children start the school year prepared to succeed.

Each Price Chopper store will have an in-store display to encourage shoppers to purchase school items while shopping in the store. All the school supplies collected will be donated to the local Salvation Army who will provide the supplies to area students. The campaign runs until to September 10th.

This is the eighth year that Price Chopper stores are partnering with The Salvation Army to help children gear up for the academic year.

“Having students equipped for learning is the key to a student’s success. Price Chopper and their customers have enabled The Salvation Army to help many children in our area,” said Major Mark Hager of the Plattsburgh Salvation Army.

Donations to the Price Chopper stores in Malone and Lake Placid will benefit the Salvation Army Service Units in that community.

Many Salvation Army Worship and Service Centers and volunteer-driven service units throughout upstate New York have Back to School events that utilize the donations from Price Chopper stores.

This year’s Back to School average expenses from the National Retail Federation show that spending will increase to over $673 on apparel and accessories, electronics, shoes and school supplies for a family with children in grades K-12. This is an increase of over forty dollars from last year.

Because this cost is a struggle for low-income families, the Salvation Army wants to help ensure each child is equipped with the supplies needed to do well academically.