800 backpacks gone in 50 minutes in Cass Co.

Published 11:37 am Tuesday, September 16, 2008

By Staff
CASSOPOLIS – Lewis Cass School Supply Spectacular organizing committee would like to extend its appreciation to the many supporters that made this event such a huge success.
Supporters came out of the woodwork for this event, donating both volunteer time and money.
They had 800 backpacks stuffed with school supplies that were given to children from Cass County on a first-come, first-serve basis, however, they had no idea they would be distributed within 50 minutes.
The early birds came around 8 a.m. and formed a line.
By 10:15 a.m., the line was getting extremely long.
They had three men directing traffic and parking around the Lewis Cass ISD buildings.
The doors opened at 11 a.m. and by 11:50 a.m., 281 families were registered and receiving their supplies.
That makes an average of 2.84 children per household.
Unfortunately, they had to make an announcement that we were running out of backpacks.
It was heartbreaking to turn families away, but they didn't want them to wait in line any longer than necessary.
The committee would like to extend an apology to those families.
They knew they were on a learning curve for the first year.
Next year they will definitely try to have more than enough on hand.
Along with receiving school supplies, families were able to learn bus safety, receive free haircuts, dental screenings, get library cards, free books, learn about Angel Food Ministries and enroll in Head Start programs.
The committee is proud to say that all donations which came from local community members, businesses and foundations was kept in our community.
Niles Wal-Mart gave them the best prices for the supplies and Fiala and Smith from Cassopolis gave them the best quality and price on the backpacks.
If you'd like to make a donation toward next year's event, please send a check to Lewis Cass ISD, School Supply Spectacular, 61682 Dailey Road, Cassopolis MI 49031.