Clothe
New clothing allows students to attend school with a sense of pride.
Wearing new, school-appropriate clothing that fits instead of hand-me-downs or pre-owned items helps improve a youngster’s self-esteem. SBCO provides Kids’ Closet and Teen Closet programs for local students so youngsters from preschool through high school can attend school with confidence while reducing the strain on their family’s budget.
How we are helping
Kid's Closet
Students from pre-K through grade 8 are brought to Kids’ Closet in Mammoth on school buses on Mondays and Thursdays, or on Saturdays by appointment. Inside, each child can select two grade-appropriate books to take home and volunteers serve as personal shoppers, helping each child find clothing that fits. But the children make their own selections from the inventory of t-shirts, shorts or jeans, jackets or sweatshirts, and shoes. Students also receive underwear, socks, and personal toiletry items, like toothbrushes and toothpaste. Between the fall and spring seasons, Kids’ Closet annually provides approximately 3,000 wardrobes. Backpacks filled with grade-appropriate school supplies are delivered directly to schools for distribution.
“One little girl was thrilled to receive girl’s underpants. She had always worn underwear her older brothers had outgrown.”
In a Thank You note one eighth grade student stated:
“We are broke and I only had one outfit to wear to school. Now I have nice new things to wear!”
Volunteers Needed!
If you would like to volunteer for Kids’ Closet, please email sbco.kids.closet@community-outreach.org
Teen Closet
Students in grades 9 through 12 in the Teen Closet program participate in shopping days held on multiple evenings in July and January at our local Target and Ross Dress for Less stores. Entering freshmen, identified by the 8th grade counselors, are given an opportunity to shop for new school clothes, personal hygiene items and school supplies. To continue throughout their four years in high school, and the July event after their graduation, the student must maintain a passing GPA and perform at least six hours of community service every semester. Each student receives a fixed dollar amount to spend. On the assigned shopping night, the teen and a volunteer meet each other at the Target store. The volunteer helps the teen stay on budget and acts as a personal shopper. Teen Closet gives our students an opportunity to attend school with pride and the understanding that their hard work has benefited not only themselves, but also their family and their community.
Volunteers Needed!
If you would like to volunteer for Teen Closet, please email sbco.teen.closet@community-outreach.org
