Registration is now open for the 2026 School Supply Spectacular, and United Way of Southwest Michigan is asking Cass County families who could use a hand to sign up before backpacks run out. The annual event gives local students in need a free backpack filled with age-appropriate school supplies so they can start the year ready to learn.
Online registration is now open at SchoolSupplySpectacular.com. Backpacks are available to children from pre-K through 12th grade who reside in or attend school in Cass County. Supplies are limited, and registration may close early if all spots fill up, so families are encouraged to sign up right away. Families can also text CCSSS to 41444 to be taken straight to the registration page. Standard text message rates may apply.
Please note: Only families who register in advance will be able to pick up a backpack in August. There are two pickup events this year, both running from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The first is Wednesday, August 12 at Marcellus High School, 303 W. Arbor St. in Marcellus. The second is Thursday, August 13 at Cassopolis Middle School, 725 Center St. in Cassopolis. Children must be present at pickup and be accompanied by an adult.
"Every year we hear from parents who are stretching every dollar just to get their kids ready for the first day," says Debbie Ramirez, Senior Director of Impact Strategies & Volunteer Engagement at United Way of Southwest Michigan. "This takes one worry off their plate. If your family could use the help, please register. That is exactly what this is here for."
Some backpacks will contain a "Golden Ticket." The lucky children who find one will take home an extra gift package along with their supplies.
The Cass County School Supply Spectacular is made possible through the generous support of community partners, donors, and volunteers. Major sponsors include American Electric Power Foundation, Michigan Gateway Community Foundation & the Youth Advisory Council, Gast Manufacturing, and the St. Denys Foundation. Series sponsors include Whirlpool Corporation, Corewell Health, Michigan Works! Berrien, Cass, Van Buren, Silver Beach Pizza, the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber, and BluCat Consulting. Lyons serves as gold sponsor, with Helping Hands of Cass County and Invenergy as silver sponsors and the Edward Lowe Foundation as bronze sponsor.
This event is organized by United Way of Southwest Michigan's Volunteer United program, a free service that connects volunteers with opportunities and organizations with volunteers. Any individual can create an account at volunteerunited.org and fill out a profile to be matched with future opportunities and organizations they care about. Organizations can post their own volunteer opportunities so others can sign up quickly and easily.
