Article Summary –
Prices for school supplies like pencils, notebooks, and calculators have increased due to tariffs implemented during President Donald Trump’s administration, affecting families’ ability to afford these essentials. Governor Gretchen Whitmer highlighted the issue, citing reports of price hikes and urging for actions to lower costs, while teachers like Laurielle Hemingway have turned to community donations to offset these expenses. To support families, various community organizations across Michigan are hosting school supply giveaways, providing free items like backpacks and school supplies throughout the back-to-school season.
Pencils, notebooks, and calculators are essential for student success, but parents face higher costs for these items as they prepare for the school year, due to President Donald Trump’s tariff policies.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer highlighted tariff-induced price increases this back-to-school season, noting in a July 29 press release that tariffs are making it harder for families already dealing with high costs to purchase school supplies.
“Prices for shoes, water bottles, clothes, pencils, juice boxes, laptops, and other necessities are rising, making back-to-school shopping more expensive than ever and making it harder for parents and educators to supply kids with the tools they need to succeed,” Whitmer said. “I will continue to work with anyone to lower costs, put more money in working families’ pockets, and protect Michigan’s families from these harmful tariffs.”
She referenced reports on tariffs affecting school supplies, including a Retail Insider article forecasting a 12-15% price rise for items like backpacks and lunchboxes — many imported from China — and an MSNBC report on rising clothing prices at Macy’s, Dillard’s, and Nordstrom.
Many families began their shopping earlier this year due to tariff concerns, according to the National Retail Federation’s back-to-school survey. Total spending on school supplies is predicted to hit a record high: The National Retail Federation expects college student spending to reach $88.8 billion in 2025, a $2 billion increase from 2024, while K-12 spending will likely hit $39.4 billion, up $600 million from last year.
Laurielle Hemingway, a second-grade teacher at Maybury Elementary School in Detroit, said her students benefit from school-provided classroom essentials like pencils and notebooks, but she must personally cover additional needs like table caddies or calendars.
As a third-year educator, Hemingway encourages donations to teachers’ classroom supply drives, available on websites like Amazon and DonorsChoose.
She noted that local school supply drives offer financial relief for families, saying, “Pencils and paper are essentials you can never have too much of. Having these provided is beneficial.”
Many churches, community groups, and businesses have held school supply drives this summer, with more planned. Here are some upcoming August giveaways in Michigan:
Good Shepherd’s Love
Date: Aug. 12 – Sept. 30
Time: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Saturday
Location: City Consignment, 916 S. Main St., Eaton Rapids
Details: Free backpacks and supplies available through September, or while supplies last. Children must be present.
Back to School Stop-N-Shop at Care House
Date: Aug. 20
Time: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: Care House, 30521 Schoenherr Rd., Suite 210A, Warren
Details: Free clothing, food, and school supplies for Macomb County residents.
Back to School L.O.T. Party
Date: Aug. 23
Time: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Location: Taylor Christian Church, 11425 Telegraph Rd., Taylor
Details: Free backpacks, school supplies, haircuts, inflatables, face painting, and more.
Back to School Picnic / Community Day
Date: Aug. 23
Time: 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Location: New Jerusalem Church of God in Christ, 1904 N. Church St., Kalamazoo
Details: Food, backpacks, school supplies, hairstylists, and barbers available.
Fitzgerald High School
Date: Aug. 24
Time: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Location: Fitzgerald High School, 23200 Ryan Rd., Warren
Details: Warren Police Department offering backpacks and school supplies, plus K-9 and drone demonstrations, a bounce house, and an ice cream truck.
—
Read More Michigan News
