D202 Gives Away Free Clothes, School Supplies To Families In Need

PLAINFIELD, IL — Ahead of the new school year starting Aug. 15, Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202 hosted its inaugural free shopping event to give clothing and school supplies away to families in need.

Clothing from unclaimed lost and found items at district schools — all washed, sorted and organized — and community donations were set up Aug. 3 at Ira Jones Middle School. Christina Edwards, district health services director and event organizer, said the clothes were repurposed into valuable resources for needy, newcomer and homeless families.

"Understanding the challenges of starting a new school year, this initiative was designed to ease that burden by providing essential items, ensuring that every child could begin the year with confidence," Edwards said in a statement.

Edwards got the help of Post Secondary Transition and Education Program, or P-STEP, students from Heidi Beiler's Extended School Year program, which teaches life skills to 18- to 21-year-old students so they can be independent after graduating high school.

The students worked through the summer on the project, washing, folding and sorting the clothing and organizing the donated school supplies, district officials said.

The project helped the P-STEP students improve their soft skills, including problem-solving, teamwork and work ethic.

National Honor Society students from Plainfield North and Central high schools contributed by hanging signs and assembling display racks to showcase items for easy shopping.

Moving forward, District 202 plans to establish a Family Closet, where families in need can come throughout the year to get clothing and school supplies, officials said.

"Providing families with the opportunity to shop for clothes and school supplies not only addresses their immediate needs but also sends a powerful message of support and encouragement," Edwards said.

The next free shopping event is planned for December.