LANSING, Mich. – The Lansing Lugnuts, in partnership with Jay Trucks & Associates and Child and Family Charities (CFC), are inviting the community to help local students start the school year prepared by participating in a school supply drive during the Lugnuts’ home games August 7-9, 2026.
Fans attending the games are encouraged to bring new school supplies and place them in the designated collection bins at each entrance to Jackson® Field. Donations will directly benefit Child & Family Charities’ annual Fill-the-Backpack campaign, which helps provide backpacks and essential school supplies to children and families throughout the Greater Lansing area.
Needed items include backpacks, notebooks, folders, pencils, crayons, markers, glue sticks, scissors, and other classroom essentials. Every donation helps ensure local students have the tools they need to begin the school year ready to learn and succeed.
“The start of a new school year should be exciting—not stressful,” said Julie Thomasma, Chief Executive Officer at Child and Family Charities. “We are incredibly grateful to the Lansing Lugnuts and Jay Trucks & Associates for bringing our community together to support local children. Every backpack filled and every supply donated helps remove barriers for families and gives students the confidence they deserve as they head back to the classroom.”
The school supply drive is made possible through a partnership between the Lansing Lugnuts, Jay Trucks & Associates, Lansing Kiwanis Club, Consumers Energy, and Child and Family Charities, demonstrating the impact that can be made when businesses, community organizations, and local sports come together to support children and families.
The Fill-the-Backpack campaign culminates with Child and Family Charities’ annual Back-to-School event, where hundreds of children receive backpacks, school supplies, and access to valuable community resources to help them start the school year on the right foot.
Community members who are unable to attend a game but would still like to support the campaign are encouraged to contact Child and Family Charities to learn more about donation opportunities.
About Child and Family Charities
For more than 115 years, Child and Family Charities has been strengthening children, individuals, and families throughout Mid-Michigan. Through 30+ programs and services, the organization provides prevention, counseling, housing, youth development, family support, and basic needs assistance, impacting more than 50,000 people each year. Child and Family Charities is committed to building stronger families and a stronger community by helping every individual reach their full potential.
