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SCHOOL SHOPPING >> Dressing Days helps struggling families Area churches dress students for success WANT TO GO?
Interfaith Council's School Dressing Days program aids families in need
Date published: 8/5/2008
BY AMY FLOWERS UMBLE
Getting four children set up for school is expensive. Denise Large usually spends about $300 getting her kids just the basics before they start Stafford County schools.
But this year, rising food and fuel costs made even a few pairs of jeans and tops an impossibility.
"It wasn't happening," Large said. Her children, entering grades three through six, drink a gallon of milk each day. At $4 per gallon, her kids drink the equivalent of a pair of new jeans each week.
And a large family requires a bigger car. She drives an SUV. Large said a couple trips to Fredericksburg from their North Stafford home costs about $30, the price of a new backpack at Target.
So Large was happy to learn about an annual event that helps struggling families outfit their children.
School Dressing Days has helped low-income families in Fredericksburg and the five surrounding counties since 1971. It's sponsored by the Interfaith Council, a group of about 30 area churches and religious organizations.
This year, the council expected a larger-than-usual turnout as other families try to make ends meet because of the rising cost of living.
But so far, smaller crowds have lined the Bragg Hill Family Life Center for one new outfit per child and the chance to shop racks of used clothing.
Gayle Lea, one of the event's organizers, attributed to the lower turnout to the new site for the back-to-school giveaways.
"It usually takes people a year to get used to a new location," she said.
Dressing Days began at a warehouse on Princess Anne Street, she said. And for the past few years, Fredericksburg Baptist Church hosted the event.
Bragg Hill Family Life Center's gym off Fall Hill Avenue in the city provides more room and allows children to run around while their parents wait to shop.
Nearly 500 people stopped by Saturday, and a steady stream shopped yesterday. Today is the last day.
So far, the donated clothes have held out, but Lea said donations were down this year.
"We didn't get as much clothing," she said. "And we're always short on boys' clothes." Volunteers buy new clothes all year long in preparation for Dressing Days.
Each child gets a new pair of jeans, a new top, new underwear and socks. They also get school supplies and toiletries.
Then, they can select a few sets of used clothes.
Kindergartners get new backpacks, and there were some shoes for children who could find a pair that fit.
In previous years, the Salvation Army donated shoe vouchers, but the agency didn't have enough donations to distribute vouchers this year. Children who need shoes can still go to school nurses for vouchers, said Jamie Smith, director of social services for the local Salvation Army.
Large said she would still buy a few more essentials--some shoes, more underwear and socks--and probably spend about $100 before school starts.
"This was a great big help," she said. "This is great when things are so tough this year."
Amy Flowers Umble: 540/735-1973
Email: aumble@freelancestar.com
WHAT: The Interfaith Council's School Dressing Days
WHEN: Today is the final day, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
WHERE: Bragg Hill Family Life Center, 400 Bragg Hill Dr.
WHO: Anyone in need with a school-aged child in the city of Fredericksburg or Stafford, Spotsylvania, King George or Caroline counties.
HOW: Bring a Social Security number or photo ID.
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Date published: 8/5/2008
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