History
The Sara Spano PTA Clothing Bank was started by Sara Spano in the
1960’s. Mrs. Spano saw that some of the children in the Muscogee County
School system were in need of appropriate clothing to wear to school. She
encouraged PTA members in every school to contribute their children’s
“outgrown, not worn out” school clothes leading to the establishment of the
Clothing Bank. Today, the Muscogee County School PTAs continue to staff and
fund the Clothing Bank. Clothing and monetary donations are also accepted
from individuals, businesses, churches, and service organizations.
Mission
The mission of the Clothing Bank is to enhance the self-esteem and
promote a positive self-image of disadvantage children in the School System
by providing them with a school wardrobe consisting of new and gently worn
items.
Objectives
To provide clothing, undergarments, shoes, winter coats, and other items
to children in need
To keep children appropriately clothed, and therefore more healthy
To improve school attendance
To enhance a child’s ability to learn
To improve a child’s self esteem
To help a child “fit in"
To encourage parent involvement through volunteerism
To raise community awareness
How the Program Works
Children enrolled in the Muscogee County School District may be referred to
the program. Referrals are made based on parental request or teacher’s
observation of need and requires the approval of the principal, assistant
principal, or guidance counselor. They may visit the Clothing Bank twice a
year, once in the Fall/Winter and once in the Spring/Summer. During each
visit, children receive new socks, new undergarments, new athletic shoes,
and an assortment of gently used items, including a winter coat.
Volunteers
The Clothing Bank owes its continued success to the dedication of countless
volunteers and supporters. The majority of our volunteers come from schools
in Muscogee County. At a minimum, each school participates by sending three
volunteers to work at the Clothing Bank four days a year.
*Schedule for School Volunteers
School PTAs are
also asked to make a monetary donation to help fund the purchase of new
undergarments, socks, athletic shoes, and any other necessary items.
Donations
Monetary donations can be mailed to
Sara Spano PTA Clothing Bank
P.O. Box 12474
Columbus, GA 31907
Clothing donations can be dropped off at the Clothing Bank during
operating hours; which are Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30am until 12:00pm
during the regular school year. (Please see schedule for closed dates.) We
are located in the Academic Success Center school building at 1112 29th
Street, Columbus, Georgia; our telephone number is 706-748-2414.
The Clothing Bank is operated under the umbrella of the Muscogee County
Council of PTAs and is a non-profit organization. Donations are tax-deductible.
School Chairperson’s Responsibilities
Each school is asked to have an active PTA/PTSA. As part of the PTAs’
commitments, each PTA/School should have someone who chairs a Clothing Bank
committee. The responsibilities of the Clothing Bank chair should include:
- Scheduling* at least three volunteers per workday from the school to assist
at the Clothing Bank. While there they will sort and hang clothes, and
assist young students with shopping for clothing. Each school is assigned
four
days, 9:30–12:00, per school year to help. (See the schedule for
specific school’s dates.)
- Coordinating trips to the Clothing Bank for students within your school
that need clothing. The schedule does not apply to students that need to
come in for clothes. They may come anytime we are open with an escort from
the school and the appropriate paperwork.
- Coordinating clothing drives and/or monetary fundraising to help
support the Clothing Bank. Monetary donations assist with the purchasing of
the new items; undergarments, socks and athletic shoes, students receive
when coming to Clothing Bank.
Items We Always Need
- New Gloves and Knit Hats
- New Boxers
- Children’s Belts (New or Gently Worn)
- New and Gently Worn Jeans, especially Children’s Size 4-14
- Plus Size Clothing for Children and Teenagers
- Winter Coats
- Black Flat Front Pants and White Dress Shirts
- Any Gently Worn Clothing Items Appropriate for School
*Schedule for School Volunteers
Page Changed
01/22/2008
