Back-to-school season should be exciting, not financially devastating. But this year, nearly half of U.S. parents say they expect to go into debt just to afford basic school supplies for their kids.

The price of backpacks, pencils, and even paper has skyrocketed — with some items up more than 25% since 2021. Families are already stretched thin by inflation, and now many are facing impossible choices between paying bills or buying the supplies their children need to succeed in school.

We’re calling on major retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Target, and Staples to immediately freeze prices on essential school supplies through the back-to-school season. These corporations make billions every year from parents trying to set their children up for success. Right now, they have the power—and the responsibility—to help ease the burden.

No parent should have to take on credit card debt for pens and notebooks. Standing by and doing nothing is not an option.

Let’s make sure every child can walk into class prepared, without pushing their families deeper into debt. Freeze the prices now.