100 Kids Get Free School Clothes from Ohio Volunteers

When 21 volunteers from 10 different churches descended on a Coshocton, Ohio Walmart to help kids pick out new shoes, even the store greeters stopped to say thank you.

Church Women United and The Salvation Army just wrapped their annual back-to-school shopping event, and this year brought something special. For the first time, volunteers didn't just buy the clothes. They got to hand them directly to the kids.

"Some of the kids slapped us high-fives," said Christa Ciotola from Church Women United. "They were just so grateful."

The project served 100 children from kindergarten through 12th grade across two shopping days. Each student received a complete outfit: new shoes, a shirt, pants or shorts, underwear, and socks. The volunteers used $4,320 raised through their Lenten Luncheons, where community members donated over meals throughout the spring.

Ninety-one of 98 kids showed up for shoe shopping day. The volunteers tried evening hours this year so working parents could attend, and the turnout proved the strategy worked.

"The parents were grateful, and the kids were excited," said Corina Stein from The Salvation Army, who helped coordinate the event. Her team carefully selected families who had previously needed food assistance or clothing vouchers to make sure the help reached those who needed it most.

Volunteer Kay Dunfee noticed the infectious positivity. "Even the Walmart employees were excited," she said. "It gives you such a good feeling because it's just great to help kids."

The Ripple Effect

The shopping days represent months of community effort. Volunteers organize the Lenten Luncheons, cook food, serve meals, clean up, provide music, and speak. Each person who attended even one lunch contributed to putting clothes on kids' backs.

"So many different hands are involved from start to finish," Stein said. The collaboration brought together at least 10 churches, proving what's possible when congregations unite around a common cause.

The Walmart greeter who thanked volunteers for their work captured what makes this project bigger than back-to-school supplies. It showed an entire community wrapping its arms around its youngest members.

"Your money made this happen and shows what churches can do when they work together," Ciotola said.