Use sales tax holiday to do some good

Just in case you didn’t already have it circled in your calendar, today is the start of Texas’ annual “Tax-Free Weekend.”

The annual sales tax holiday runs Aug. 5-7 and allows shoppers to buy essential back-to-school items, like clothes, shoes, backpacks and school supplies, without having to shell out the sales tax.

When Texans would save about $8 for every $100 they spend on these items, and the average parents will spend about $273 per child during the holiday, that tax reprieve is nice.

But during this sales-filled, energetic shopping holiday, consider buying a few extra pencil packs and rulers for underserved kids.

Over 100,000 Tarrant County children live in poverty, according to a 2016 report. Some of those families could use your help with getting back-to-school essentials for their children.

You can also donate the money you saved to organizations like Tarrant County Back to School Roundup.

The nonprofit will use the money to provide school supplies, immunizations, health screenings and haircuts for underserved kids.

This year’s Back to School Roundup will happen Aug. 10.

This back-to-school sales tax holiday could be a good opportunity to help children in need.

This story was originally published August 4, 2016 at 5:33 PM with the headline "Use sales tax holiday to do some good."