Volunteers with the Rome chapter of Youth For Christ were busy Saturday turning part of the space in their building into a place where foster families in Floyd County can shop — for free — for donated clothing for children and teens.
The shop, called Suit Yourself, will open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on a Saturday every other month, volunteer Jennifer Morgan said. The first shopping opportunity will be May 10.
Families who get a new foster child in their home may call YFC and make an appointment to shop, Morgan said.
The idea was brought up last summer after Camp Discover, a week of recreation and mentoring by trained volunteers that YFC organized. YFC volunteer Bryan Goresh noted that “what foster kids don’t have is clothes,” said Jennifer Jolly, administrative assistant with YFC.
What started with two bins of donated clothing has mushroomed.
Donations from several local churches, Cave Spring Elementary School, the William S. Davies Homeless Shelter, Habitat for Humanity Home Mart and many individuals have been streaming in since YFC started spreading the word, Jolly said.
She said YFC worked with the local foster parent association, the Department of Family and Children Services and merchants to get the word out and donations coming in.
“From the very early stages, it’s been a good partnership with the community, with only minimal communication to this point,” Jolly said. “One man donated suits and ties, great for when teens have job interviews or dress-up events at school.”
Morgan said Suit Yourself would even like to have prom dresses donated.
Though there’s clothing of all sizes, Jolly said, “Our main focus is teens. Their budget for clothes is not huge.”
There are many volunteer opportunities available, Morgan said, from helping to sort donated clothing to working during the family shopping days.
Besides clothing, Suit Yourself needs donations of hangers, storage bins for out-of-season clothing, rolling clothes racks and grocery bags.
Donations of money are welcome as well.
“There’s definitely a need for this,” Morgan said.
“Our goal is to help foster children in every way we can,” Jolly said.
The YFC office is at 402 W. Third St. People who wish to volunteer or donate may call 706-291-6011.
