A school supply drive is taking place all this month at the Bridgman Open Air Market.
The market is held each Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the parking lot behind United Federal Credit Union on Lake Street in downtown Bridgman. Market manager Rose Stachowiak tells us with the start of a new school year about here, they want to do all they can help.
“We try to do something different every month to keep interest in the market alive,” Stachowiak said. “We were trying to decide what to do, and August is close enough to back to school. I did a little research, and as of 2023, the average family in Michigan can spend upwards to $850 in school supplies every year.”
Stachowiak says teachers also put up their own money to buy supplies.
Those who stop by the Open Air Market throughout August are asked to bring along items like backpacks, markers, pencils, crayons, glue, tape, and notebooks. The items can be dropped off at any tent displaying a green board member sign. Stachowiak says now’s the time to help out some families and teachers.
“The economy sucks. We’re trying to help out where we can.”
The collected items will go to a different elementary school each Sunday this month. They started with Lakeshore this past Sunday.
You can learn more about the Bridgman Open Air Market right here.
