Where to Find Kids Haircuts and Free School Supplies for Fall 2025
I’m not sure where summer went, but my recent Target trip provided a glimpse into back-to-school prep.
With shelves fully stocked with Sharpies and Ticonderogas, I know fall is just around the corner.
Although I’m not quite ready to give up flexible bedtimes and day trips to the beach, I am ready to get organized for the upcoming school year.
We’ve scouted SWMI for the best spots for FREE school supply events, retailers and the best kids haircuts.
No matter what your learning plans may be, we wish you a safe and happy school year.
📷: Valley Family Church
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Kalamazoo Public Schools
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Where to Find Free School Supplies
Southwest Michigan is home to multiple nonprofits that can help families with school supplies, food and more.
Read on for upcoming distribution events and contact information for these organizations:
📷: Family Health Center
SWMI School Supply Drives
Local organizations hold events each summer to distribute free school supplies. Some events may have residency or registration requirements; read the fine print before you head out.
For more local events, check our calendar.
📷: Portage Public Schools
July 29: Love Week- Vicksburg
Valley Family Church organizes three events yearly to distribute school supplies, food, diapers and items to help SWMI families. These events also feature inflatables, a cookout and face painting.
Vicksburg’s event will be at the Vicksburg Pavilion on Spruce Street, from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
July 30: Love Week- Paw Paw
The Paw Paw event takes place at Paw Paw Tyler Field from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
July 31: Love Week- Kzoo
The Kalamazoo event takes place at UpJohn Park from 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM.
Aug 5: Pig Out with Public Safety – Portage
This annual event in Portage partners with the Portage Police Department and Portage Fire Department to distribute free school supplies to Portage Public Schools students at Central Park.
Join the fun on Aug 5 from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
All Back-to-School Events
Local organizations continue to announce additional back-to-school events. Find the list below.
PS: Is your event missing? Email our editor to get it added.
Local Nonprofits for School Supplies
These Greater Kalamazoo area organizations assist with traditional school supplies, food, and other support areas for local students from elementary school through college:
| Communities in Schools’ Kids’ Closet KALAMAZOO PUBLIC SCHOOLS The CIS Kids’ Closet helps meet needs for clothing, personal care items, and school supplies for K-12 students so that they are ready and able to learn every day. |
| Generous Hands Inc VICKSBURG Generous Hands is a non-profit organization that provides backpacks of food every weekend to children who need supplemental food assistance. |
| Supplies for Success MATTAWAN CONSOLIDATED SCHOOLS Supplies for Success assists students and families in need at the Mattawan Early and Later Elementary School, Middle and High School with new and gently used clothing. |
| RAWK: Read and Write Kalamazoo Read and Write Kalamazoo (RAWK) is a nonprofit organization devoted to nurturing intellectual and creative confidence in youth in Kalamazoo County through creative writing workshops, summer camps, in-school programs, after-school tutoring, and community partnerships. |
| Western Michigan’s Invisible Need Project WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY The Invisible Need Project supports WMU students with unmet basic needs, including food, menstrual products, school supplies and other unexpected costs. |
Where to Purchase School Supplies in SWMI
Whether you’re looking for a notebook, a box of Crayolas or clothes, we’ve rounded up the best options for families to stock up for this school year.
Classroom Supplies
For pencils, markers, folders and other typical classroom items, our readers suggest local big box stores that are big on variety:
- Walmart
- Meijer
- Office Depot
- Target
To make things easier, take advantage of drive-up options for curbside pickup.
Money Saving Tip: Try Dollar Tree, Dollar General or other discount stores for potential savings.
Backpacks
In addition to the typical big box retailers, families recommend the following for school backpacks:
- LL Bean
- Lands End
- Eddie Bauer
- Pottery Barn Kids
Shopping Tip: be sure to verify bag size (many have size charts) to ensure all supplies will fit and your child can carry it easily.
Clothes
If your children are like mine, their formerly full-length pants are now capris.
Top recommended spots:
- The Children’s Place
- Target
- Walmart
- Gap Kids
- Aeropostale
- Carters
- Thrift shops
Shoes
First Day Shoe Fund is a local nonprofit that helps K-5 students with new athletic shoes in Kalamazoo County’s public schools.
Locally owned Little Chick Shoe Shop offers a guaranteed fit and will prorate shoes if your child outgrows them too quickly.
Find them in Oakwood Plaza in Kalamazoo, next door to Bricks & Minifigs.
Favorite Spots for Kids Haircuts in Southwest Michigan
For many kids, a new ‘do is a fun back-to-school tradition as they gear up for the new year. We’ve rounded up top spots for kids haircuts, as suggested by local parents:
Money Saving Tip: Barber and Beauty schools offer inexpensive (often $5 or less) haircuts for kids. Try Empire in Portage or West Michigan College of Barbering and Beauty in Kalamazoo.
| Samson’s Haircare Barbershop 254 E Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49007 Offers free haircuts to children in foster care or who have been adopted. |
| Great Clips 5903 Gull Rd, Kalamazoo, MI 49048 |
| Hair by Logan 212 W Milham Ave, Portage, MI 49024 |
| Jude’s Barbershop 2050 W Centre Ave, Portage, MI 49024 |
| Magnificent Hair by Michelle 919 W Milham Ave, Portage, MI 49024 |
| Nick’s Barber Shop 115 S Main St, Vicksburg, MI 49097 |
| Refined Men’s Grooming 6997 Q Ave W Ste #2 Kalamazoo, MI 49009 |
| Samson’s Haircare Barbershop 254 E Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49007 Offers free haircuts to children who are in foster care or who have been adopted. |
| Sports Clips Haircuts 5304 W Main St, Kalamazoo, MI 49009 7101 S Westnedge Ave, Portage, MI 49002 |
| UncLee’s Barber Shop 1909 W Main St, Kalamazoo, MI 49006 |
Where is your favorite spot for school supplies?
Share your tips for back-to-school shopping in the comments!
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