Replenishing back to school supplies is proving to be a costly venture for parents struggling with economic hard times.One local charity spokeswoman said “the financial burden on parents to supply their children with these long and detailed lists has gotten out of hand”.Now on their third ‘Back to School Drive’, the Bermuda Chapter of A Lott A Sista Love has been inundated with requests for assistance.Charity coordinator Barbara Thomas noticed a marked increase in calls for help this year.She provided a sample list issued by a primary school for P1 with nearly 20 items on it ranging from pencils to baby wipes.With so many families struggling to make ends meet she said long lists of supplies increases financial pressure, especially in hard times.“The pressure to have all the items listed has become a strain on parents in addition to having to purchase school uniforms, gym uniforms, shoes and sneakers.“And in just a few more months they will also have to supply winter uniforms for their children; it’s just too much for too many,” Ms Thomas said.“We have calculated for each child the cost average is approximately $400 for basic uniforms and school supplies.”Unlike years gone by, she noted that exercise books, rulers, pencils and pens are no longer supplied by the schools.“We never heard of supplying Scott Towel, Wet Ones, Ziploc bags and things like that.”In today’s times she said: “We as a community have to look at ways in which we can help to reduce the cost our educating our young people.“Children especially should not be have to be concerned about going to school without all the equipment necessary to get an education.“I remember sending my children to school in full uniform with a school bag and lunch; that was it.“Now we have specialised gym clothes, track suits, blazers which all have a price tag.“We may have to look at going back to basics by passing down slightly used uniforms.”A random group of parents were asked to share their views on the subject by this newspaper.One woman said her daughter will attend The Berkeley Institute after nine years of paying private school tuition.“With the job asking for a pay cut, the health insurance increase and the cost of living, as a single parent I had no choice,” she said.“With the next four years of public school, the money I was using for private school can go towards college.”Looking back over the past three years she said she was “blessed because her daughter’s uniform did not change”.“It was only a matter of getting one or two new pairs of socks and shirts.“Now that she’s changing schools I have to get all new clothing, but after paying private school fees I’ve learned to shop wisely and sacrifice.”It will cost her up to $700 for new clothing with shoes and sneakers priced between $70 to $100 and school skirts priced at $39 a piece.Her sentiments were echoed by another woman whose son will be entering the same school in September.“In addition to everything else, I was told S1 students have to pay a minimum of $370 for a laptop computer.“That’s the first instalment on three payments. You do have the option of paying $370 x 3, $540 x2 or $910, plus a $160 registration fee for a tie, gym clothes and crest; and I still need to purchase a blazer.”Her younger daughter is still in primary school and will use “the brand new pair of shoes from last year”.And she has a niece who will recycle her school shoes and other supplies for the new school year.Another parent who dished out nearly $800 to get her son ready for P1 last year was relieved that it won’t cost as much for his second year.“There are a few items that are passed on from the previous year,” she said.She estimates she will spend around $350 this year.A married couple with two young children said they shop around for the best bargains but money remains tight.“Even if you shop around, you’ve still got to find $500 from somewhere to get your child fitted out with all the right gear for school.“And it’s not as if you can save up during the summer, because the summer camps are so expensive, you’ve got nothing left over after paying all your usual bills, food and rent.“We use every frugal trick we can think of: hand-me-downs, recycling that old pair of sneakers to last a bit longer and buying a bigger size tracksuit to grow into it instead of needing a new one after a few weeks.“We always find a way of getting by as long as we sacrifice luxuries like meals out and vacations overseas. But even with two parents working full-time, making genuine savings for a rainy day is completely impossible. You earn the money and it’s gone before you know it.”