As families prepare for the new school year, the rising cost of school supplies is hitting both parents and charitable organizations hard.

The Ozaukee Food Alliance, which has hosted an annual back-to-school fair and giveaway for a decade, has seen its supply costs nearly double this year.

Charities feel the brunt of school supply price increases

"Normally, we spend about six to seven thousand dollars, and this year, it was about $12,500 for all the school supplies," said Andrea Acosta, director of the Ozaukee Food Alliance.

The additional cost accounts for both an increase in expected families served at the fair as well as a decrease in donations, like backpacks usually supplied by other charities.

The organization had to pay the increased costs out of its own budget, not knowing if

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