'School Supply Spectacular' offers free supplies to Cass County students

by Kelli Cheatham (kcheatham@wsbt.com)

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Cass County School Supply Spectacular

The Lewis Cass ISD is holding a "School Supply Spectacular" to give free school supplies to Cass County students. The event is being held on Saturday, August 23, 2008, from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Brookside Learning Center in Cassopolis. (WSBT photo)

By WSBT News1

CASSOPOLIS — It's not just high gas prices that are pinching families lately. Now, expensive school supplies are straining the budget as well. But this weekend there's a chance for needy families in Cass County to get free back-to-school supplies.

Organizers are calling it the "School Supply Spectacular." They're hoping to give free supplies to 800 students who are in need.

"Basically the need kind of came to us last fall," explained Lewis Cass ISD Great Start Coordinator Pam Swain. "We had several families call in, people were wondering where they could get their school supplies for the school year."

From there, several local agencies and stores collaborated efforts to make it happen.

"It's very important to us that all of our kids start school this year with the most confidence they can. We want them to succeed and have a great new start at school," explained Swain.

Families living in Cass County with students in pre-school through high school can attend the event.

"We've got about 8,000 students in the county," explained Lewis Cass ISD Superintendent John Ostrowski. "So this will be a really helpful event for them. The economy has not been well this year, Michigan has been extremely hard-hit, and we're just excited we can do this for
our kids."

The first annual "School Supply Spectacular" will take place Saturday August 23 from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the Lewis Cass Intermediate School District's Brookside Learning Center at 61682 Dailey Rd. in Cassopolis. Volunteers will also be giving free hair cuts from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Sunday, Aug 24 at 9:26 AM c wrote ...

If parents would plan a little. Staples has sales every year, pencils 1 penny a box. crayons at walmart 22 cents. Tablets 5 cents glue 10 cents markers 88 cents. Come on I stock up for the year and I still only spent 20.00 for both my kids to start school with supplies. Of course this doesnt include cloths. I think every one is just looking for a hand out. You know the school list all summer long. Take a dollar out of every pay check and you would have plenty. Yes it takes work and planning.

Friday, Aug 22 at 7:47 PM slaphandtoforehead wrote ...

The next time you vote, remember, the important question to ask about the candidate is, can ya have a beer with the guy!

Friday, Aug 22 at 11:12 AM Karla McIntire wrote ...

I wish these supplies will go everywhere where families like mine will not suffer because .. it is so expensive to buy notbooks and all accsessories that school children need. How am I gona get all the money when nobody is working and the unemployment check lasts only for food and clothing? The utilities needs to be paid monthly and be the next month there is money left. May God have mercy on those with fixed incomes medicines and check up with doctors is so expensive. Supply is needed for child

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