CADILLAC — The Revival Center Church in Cadillac has seen the need for school supplies grow in recent years.
Pastor Will Markham said in previous years, the church would hand out around 300 backpacks to students in need. The backpacks were part of the church’s back-to-school supply drive that has been happening for close to 25 years.
He said for the last two years, they’ve been handing out 400 backpacks after seeing demand for help with school supplies increase.
“Kids still need school supplies, and they need them every year,” he said.
“My only regret is that we don’t have more resources to do more things for more children.”
The church isn’t the only place seeing more people coming in asking for help with school supplies and other essential items.
Organizations like Love In the Name of Christ have seen a growing need for clothes and shoes in recent years. Love INC. Operations Manager Paul King said they are getting to that time of the year when families start thinking about school and reach out for help.
He said that, in the past, requests for clothing items would slow down during the summer before increasing again as the new school year approached. Now the demand for those items has grown and remains steady throughout the year due to how expensive such items are.
Back-to-school shopping has become increasingly expensive, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF). The organization recently released results from its survey, where it spoke with consumers about back-to-school shopping trends.
According to the survey, families with students in elementary through high school plan to spend an average of $863.86 on items this year. That is up slightly from $858.07 in 2025.
A deeper dive into the NRF’s survey results reveals these families expect to spend an average of $250.29 on clothing and accessories, $174.01 on shoes and $146.45 on school supplies.
King said they will try to fulfill requests for school supplies when they come in. However, due to limited resources, he said they may direct individuals to back-to-school events or other community resources.
Love INC., also sees a growing need for hygiene products. King said items like deodorant, toothpaste, shampoo, hand soap and feminine hygiene products are all in growing demand.
The organization also provides items like laundry soap, paper towels, toilet paper and other paper products.
“The demand for that is growing every month,” King said.
Data collected by the U.S. Census Bureau through its Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates (SAIPE) program also shows an increasing percentage of school-aged students living in poverty.
The program produces single-year estimates of income and poverty by age for states, counties and school districts across the U.S. Its latest data is from 2024.
According to U.S. Census estimates, 16.8% of Michigan children ages 5 to 17 lived in families experiencing poverty.
Evart Public Schools (20.4%), Reed City Area Public Schools (20.4%), Marion Public Schools (20.3%), Pine River Area Schools (18.4%), Mesick Consolidated Schools (17.9%) and Manton Consolidated Schools (17.1%) were all higher than the state’s 16.8%.
Cadillac Area Public Schools was slightly below at 16.7%. Forest Area Community Schools (15.1%), Lake City Area School District (14.5%), Buckley Community Schools (14.3%) and McBain Rural Agricultural School (11%) were also below the state’s 16.8%.
To assist students and their families from these districts with their school supply needs, several organizations in the greater Cadillac area are hosting events and collecting donations.
The Revival Center Church is aiming to collect enough supplies for 400 backpacks once again this year. Those supplies are being collected through Saturday, Aug. 15.
Markham said those interested in supporting their supply drive can drop off items at the church located at 5676 E. M-55 in Cadillac. There will be a drop box in the entryway where people can put their items.
The list of items being accepted includes glue sticks, boxes of 24 crayons, boxes of colored pencils, kids’ scissors, pencil boxes, wide-ruled filler paper, ruled index cards, two-pocket folders, boxes of No. 2 pencils, large pink erasers, pencil sharpeners and dry-erase markers.
An Amazon wish list of needed items is available on the church’s website at revivalcentercadillac.org or by using the following link: tinyurl.com/yz9nptn2.
Financial donations are being accepted as well. Markham said people can donate money through the website.
Once the supply drive is done, church volunteers will go out to nearby neighborhoods and hand the backpacks to families. Markham said they’ve also given some away at their food pantry and during the church in the park event in August.
“We just believe in blessing the children,” he said. “When our community joins with us, then we know that children are important and they’re seen as a necessary and valuable part of our community.”
People interested in donating to Love INC. can drop off items at their office located at 753 Sunnyside Dr. in Cadillac. King said donations should be dropped off in person during regular business hours, Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Clothes and shoes should be gently used with no permanent stains or tears. Hygiene products should be brand new. He said they also accept school supplies like backpacks, writing utensils and notebooks.
In Missaukee County, the Friends for Students of LC Schools is gearing up for a busy year. Founded by Kristine Keller, the group works with staff members at Lake City Area Schools to identify students in need of support.
All donation requests come through the school. Keller and her group collect the requested items, which the school then distributes to students.
The group does not accept requests made by individuals.
Keller said underwear and a change of clothing are important for elementary school students. She typically asks for sweatpants and leggings of all sizes.
Keller said middle and high school students often need hygiene products, including feminine hygiene items.
“It’s important to start the students out in the right direction for the school year,” she said.
Those interested in supporting the Friends group can donate items to P.O. Box 241. Items can also be dropped off at the Missaukee District Library located at 210 S. Canal St., in Lake City.
Keller said all clothing and hygiene products must be new. She will also accept general school supplies.