I don't know what I'd do in this situation. I think I'd alert a store employee, but who knows, really. I think I would.

Stealing is stealing no matter how much money you have or not. I'm sure, if you can't afford school supplies the school would help or Salvation Army would help.

Here we have a program with the Elk's Lodge. It's called Shop With a Cop. Underprivileged children are taken out shopping for school clothes individually by a cop. There are some organizations who fill back packs with items kids will need going back to school.

There are all kinds of resources, if someone is in need, where they can get help without resorting to stealing.