The Berrien Community Foundation is planning three Backpacks for Good events in the next few weeks to help students head into the new school year excited and well supplied.

BCF Program Director Susan Matheny tells us the Backpacks for Good project each year collects not only backpacks, but school supplies to be given out for free to students. The foundation and its partners hold special events to distribute all these items, and Matheny says they’re a great way to help students get ready for the new year.

“These are events where families can come with their kids and get a backpack full of school supplies, plus visit with local family resources and walk away with some food, groceries, supplies, or fresh vegetables,” Matheny said.

Matheny says generous sponsors will make it possible this year to give out 2,500 backpacks in Benton Harbor, Niles, and Coloma. She calls it a good way to reduce the back-to-school cost for parents.

“There’s back to school clothes and athletic gear that’s physical, all the thing, we have to do to get ready to go back to school, and then on top of that, we say, ‘Oh by the way, we need a big bag full of expensive supplies.’”

At each of the three events coming up, there will be plenty of supplies on hand for each student to pick the backpack they like.

The first Backpacks for Good giveaway, for students who live in the 49022 zip code, will be August 5, 2025, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Dwight P. Mitchell City Center Park in Benton Harbor.

Students attending Brandywine or Niles Schools are invited to an event on August 7, from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Niles High School parking lot to pick up supplies.

Finally, there will be a Backpacks for Good event for students attending Coloma, Watervliet, or Hagar #6 Schools on August 14, from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Coloma Junior High School parking lot.

You can learn more about Backpacks for Good right here.