Charity Dandelions WA calls for public donations after demand for school supplies reaches record heights

Thousands of WA families are unable to afford school bags, stationery and hygiene products, with one local charity scrambling to meet record demand ahead of the first day of term.

For the past five years Dandelions WA has supplied lunchboxes and school bags filled with stationery to tens of thousands of families, in response to requests submitted by WA schools.

After supplying school bags to more than 15,000 children in 2025, requests for this year have surged to 18,500.

It has left the charity with a shortfall of 1000 just a week out from day one.

For the first time, requests are now coming in from other charities. The group also provides hygiene kits, including shampoo, deodorant, soap, toothbrush and toothpaste.

Last year marked the first time Dandelions was asked to supply the kits to schools throughout the year.

It delivered more than 2000 hygiene kits and requests for this year have reached 5000 so far.

Dandelions WA co-founder Vicky Young said families were having to choose between putting food on the table or buying hygiene or school supplies.

“Just this week we sent backpacks to one school, along with 600 pairs of underwear, 150 shorts and 300 pairs of socks,” she said.

“It makes a huge difference, it means children can go to school on day one rather than avoiding school because they don’t want to face ridicule because they haven’t bathed or cleaned their teeth.”

The charity is supported by Telethon, the State Government and donations from businesses such as Mineral Resources.

“We are so grateful for all of the support, we couldn’t do it without them,” she said.

“Our funding has allowed us to purchase 15,000 backpacks, but school is not back yet and we’re already up to 18,500 requests.”

The charity supports 470 schools across WA, and Ms Young said the cost of living crisis had left many families in dire straits.

The group is welcoming donations from members of the public at its Malaga headquarters or online.