- Slug: BC-CNS-Free Haircuts, 230 words.
- 5 photos (thumbnails, captions below).
By Evelin Ruelas
Cronkite News
PHOENIX – Inflation may have cooled slightly in June, but back-to-school preparations are still costing families more this year.
To ease some of that burden, Chicanos Por La Causa Community Center hosted a back-to-school event this week. The nonprofit offered free haircuts for families to ensure everyone can look their best for the beginning of the school year.
“These events do not only help people feel confident and ready for the start of school, but it also gives us an opportunity to engage with the community and educate families on other services we provide year round,” said Marissa Calderón, associate director of family empowerment at Chicanos Por La Causa.
The nonprofit formed in 1969 to fight discrimination against the Mexican American community, according to its website. It offers programs that focus on health and human services, housing, education, education and advocacy.
Families packed into the community center in the Carl Hayden neighborhood for the event.
Back-to-school season means families must budget and that sometimes means kids will go without haircuts and other non-essential items and services, Calderón said.
Families with children in K-12 grades plan to spend an average of $890 on back-to-school items this year, about $25 more than last year, according to the annual survey from the National Retail Federation. Respondents said they needed to spend more this year because they need more new supplies and big-ticket items, such as computers, phones and calculators.
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