FaithCentre to Host Free Back-to-School Clothing Event

This story originally appeared in The Centre County Gazette .

BELLEFONTE — The FaithCentre , a local nonprofit that offers a food bank, pet food pantry, thrift shop, emergency aid and more, will host a free back-to-school clothing event from Monday, July 29, through Saturday, Aug. 3 at its store, 110 W. High St. in Bellefonte

The event is open to students in kindergarten through 12th grade and gives the students the chance to receive three free outfits and a new pair of sneakers.

“The FaithCentre was originally founded in 2003 by members of Faith United Methodist Church. The FaithCentre was formed to address issues attendant to local poverty, such as utility termination and other emergency financial needs,” Nicole Summers, executive director, wrote to The Centre County Gazette.

“To support this ministry, donated clothing and household items were sold out of a small storefront in downtown Bellefonte. A couple of years later, the FaithCentre moved to our current location, adopted the Bellefonte Food Bank, launched a clothing voucher program which provides thousands of dollars of free clothing annually to low-income area families and narrowed the focus of financial assistance to utility and rent only.”

Summers noted that the Pet Food Pantry of Centre County was formed in 2009 to provide free pet food for cats and dogs. Most recently, the FaithCentre launched the David Dimmick FaithCentre scholarship, which awards $2,000 to a graduating Bellefonte High School senior planning on pursuing a career in the helping professions.

“The free back-to-school clothing event grew out of a partnership with Faith United Methodist Church and their Blessing of the Backpacks program. Faith Church provides free school supplies, backpacks and health and wellness activities each summer before the beginning of the school year,” Summers wrote. “We offered free clothing during that event but found it easiest to expand the clothing giveaway to one week and host it at our school. We began purchasing new sneakers for each participating student because, well, I love new running shoes and think every child and teen should start the year with a fresh pair.”

Summers noted that there are no income guidelines for those looking to participate in the back-to-school clothing event.

“I believe this event is important because it boosts the confidence of the student and relieves the parents of some of the back-to-school expenses. Starting the school year should feel like a fresh adventure and new to you clothing and brand-new shoes can give students an opportunity to look and feel their best,” Summers said, noting how for parents, the costs of back-to-school clothes, footwear, school supplies and electronics can add up quickly.

“We want to help lift that burden and help families enjoy the excitement of the new school year,” Summers noted. “The requirements for participation are simple. The event is open to children in kindergarten through 12th grade, children must be present to select items, we don’t offer rainchecks and regular clothing vouchers are not distributed during the giveaway week. We would like to invite the community to help support this event by donating children’s or teens’ clothing, new sneakers or money.

For more information contact Nicole Summers at 814-355-0880 or email nsummers@faithcentre.info.

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