Where to Find Kids Haircuts and Free School Supplies for Fall 2024
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.
In this Article
Kalamazoo Public Schools
KPS is deeply committed to the principles of excellence, innovation, and compassion. We foster a student-centered environment that values inclusivity, collaboration, and open-mindedness. We firmly believe in achieving academic excellence while nurturing the diverse needs of our students. 
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:
SWMI School Supply Drives
Local organizations hold events each summer to distribute free school supplies. Some events may have residency or registration requirements; be sure to read the fine print before you head out.
For more local events, check our calendar.
Love Week- Vicksburg (July 30)
Valley Family Church organizes three events each year 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.
Love Week- Paw Paw (July 31)
The Paw Paw event takes place at Paw Paw Tyler Field from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
Love Week- Kzoo (Aug 1)
The Kalamazoo event takes place at UpJohn Park from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
Back to School Bash- Kzoo (Aug 9)
This carnival-style event with the Family Health Center offers food, games, a petting zoo, raffle prizes, and a live DJ. Each child receives a backpack with school supplies a personal care kit. Register online for your time slot.
If you need to adjust your time slot or have any questions, call (269) 488-0805.
Pig Out at Public Safety – Portage (Aug 15)
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 15 from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
Fill A Backpack – Allegan County (Aug 22)
Allegan County students can shop for free at this fill your backpack event.
This event takes place on Aug 22 from 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM.
All Back-to-School Events
Local organizations continue to announce additional back-to-school events. Find the full list below.
PS: Is your event missing? Email our editor to get it added.
Local Nonprofits for School Supplies
These 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. Based on limited staff and storage capacity, we ask that all donations are new.
VICKSBURG
Generous Hands is a non-profit organization that provides backpacks of food every weekend to children who need supplemental food assistance.
KALAMAZOO COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
First Day Shoe Fund provides new athletic shoes to students at Kalamazoo County public elementary schools.
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.
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.
Western Michigan’s Invisible Need Project
WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
The Invisible Need Project works to support 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 prefer Walmart, Meijer, Office Depot and 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 some potential savings.
Backpacks
In addition to the typical big box retailers, families love LL Bean, Lands End, Eddie Bauer and Pottery Barn Kids for school backpacks.
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. The Children’s Place, Target, Walmart, Gap Kids, Aeropostale and Carters are some top-recommended spots.
Money Saving Tip: Resale shops can offer some great deals on clothes. Two local favorites are Once Upon a Child and Second Childhood. For the teens and tweens, visit Plato’s Closet or 360 Degrees.
Shoes
First Day Shoe Fund is a local nonprofit that helps K-5 students with new athletic shoes in Kalamazoo County’s public schools. Read more about their programs here.
Locally owned Little Chick Shoe Shop offers a guaranteed fit and will prorate shoes if your child outgrows them too quickly. It is located in Oakwood Plaza in Kalamazoo.
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:
| Coachlite Cutters 8850 Shaver Rd, Portage, 49024, MI |
| 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 |
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.
Where is your favorite spot for school supplies?
Share your tips for back-to-school shopping in the comments!
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