MILLSBORO, Del. - Clothing Our Kids, a local nonprofit organization founded in Sussex County, has been assisting an increasing number of children due to rising poverty in the area.
Bob Blouin, who has been with the charity for the past 10 years, notes a significant shift this school year, with clothing orders placed before classes begin.
"We had orders starting in July and August, people ordering clothes for children, and we're taking orders now, not just from the schools, but also from social services and the family shelters," he said.
In September alone, more than 1,100 children in Sussex County received clothes from Clothing Our Kids.
Lori Boyce, a counselor for second and third graders at East Millsboro Elementary School, expressed gratitude for the community trust.
"It's an honor that we can partner with the families in the community and that they feel safe and secure enough to come and share their and express their needs," she said.
The charity's 120 volunteers are crucial in shopping for new clothes, preparing orders placed by teachers, nurses, and counselors, and delivering them directly to the schools.
Blouin highlighted the impact of their work: "We can give the children the resources, this being the clothes, necessary to have a positive attitude going to school, to have a positive attitude by staying in school. If they have soiled clothes or if they have to wear the same clothes every day, there's more chance of them being bullied in school. We don't want that to happen."
Clothing Our Kids encourages anyone aware of a child in Head Start, elementary, or middle school needing new clothes to contact the child's school for order placement.