2002-2003 Clothing Center Mid-Year Report

The Clothing Center’s mission is to assist with the clothing needs of people living within the boundaries of the Shawnee Mission School District. Local PTA units donate money to Shawnee Mission Area Council PTA that is used to purchase new socks and underwear for students in our District. Students may receive the new socks and underwear once during the school year. Anyone can donate clothing to the Clothing Center. There is no charge for any of the clothing that is available at the Clothing Center.

This is the second year that the Clothing Center has been housed in the boy’s locker room at Indian Creek Technology Center. Mary Ca Ralstin did a wonderful job last year in moving in and setting up the new location. Building upon her success, we have spent this year fine-tuning the operation. At our request, the District removed the last remaining row of lockers from the locker room in an attempt to make more room for clothing. Their removal created space for two additional tables. We have had to adapt the way in which we operate, since the restroom in the locker room is still used by various boys’ sports teams. This is the only “security” issue for the Clothing Center.

As of Jan. 31, 137 families (compared to 64 families last year), involving over 550 individuals, have utilized the Clothing Center. Many of these customers return week after week to “shop” for the various members of their families. TEEN NIGHT was the most demanding evening shopping event of the year. We were operating at full capacity. In addition to our families, school nurses and social workers visit the center for any necessary clothing items for their students. 

The number of Spanish-speaking clients has also increased dramatically. This is due, in part, to an effort made by Area Council to work in conjunction with Dr. Ellen Bartsch, Director of the English as a Second Language office, which is also located at Indian Creek. As result of this cooperation, all of the signs in the Clothing Center have been translated into Spanish to help those whose native language is not English. This program seems to be very successful. The ESL office created and then updated cards for new families to bring to the center to show that their children are enrolled in Shawnee Mission schools.

We still have storage concerns, as more and more donations arrive in the Clothing Center.  Thanks to the outstanding work of all of the elementary, middle, and high school volunteers who work there each week, the sorting continues and inroads are being made in the rows of clothing bags yet to be processed. We certainly could not operate without the help of these volunteers. Thank you! We also want to thank all of the schools for the creative ways in which they support the Clothing Center…from baby showers to coat   drives, from hat and mitten drives to toothbrush and toothpaste donations. It is all greatly appreciated by the patrons of the Clothing Center. We encourage every school to publicize the Clothing Center to those in your building who may be in need of this service. 

Candy Lafferty—SMAC PTA—Clothing Center Chair