Operation School Bell Clothes Kids and Gives Them Dignity

I’ve probably walked or driven by The Assistance League of Seattle a hundred times, but never bothered to see what went on inside. This charity is run out of two houses on North 45th Street, opposite the Chevron gas station. The AL Seattle runs three philanthropic programs; the Enrichment Scholarship Program, the Financial Aid for Education Program, and Operation School Bell, which provides free clothing for children in need in grades K-5.

The Assistance League of Seattle is a chapter of the National Assistance League and it has operated here locally since 1962. The recently declared, State of Emergency Due to Homelessness in Seattle, has only put more demand on this organization. As of May 2016, 3,850 Seattle Public School students are experiencing homelessness, a 316% increase since 2009, and 24% increase over the past year alone.

Operation School Bell empowers K-5 Seattle Public School students to “reach their full potential by focusing on school, not on their need for basic clothing”, and “encourages better attendance and improved academic performance”. 

Each child is provided a brand-new wardrobe of clothing that is on-trend and age-appropriate. Last year, the organization served 1,650 students total. This year, they’ve clothed almost 1,400 in the first two months of the school year, and anticipate many more homeless and impoverished elementary aged students to walk through their doors at OSB before the year ends.

The children served at Operation School Bell come from impoverished homes, homeless shelters and transitional housing facilities, and are referred to or brought to OSB by socials workers. Some kids don’t have homes at all, and are given an inconspicuous duffel bag along with their wardrobe so that they can easily carry their clothes from school, to a day shelter, to a shelter where they will sleep at night. 

“Once we had a boy come to OSB, who was going through adolescence, and the poor guy was having to wear his mom’s underwear and jeans, because he’d grown-out of all of his clothes and there was no money for purchasing anything new” said Kristen Klein, President of the Assistance League of Seattle. Having appropriate clothing helps students feel included socially. 

“There was one first grade girl who came to OSB who had major behavioral issues in class, and would throw her shoes around the classroom. We got her to Operation School Bell, clothed her, and gave her new shoes. Afterwards she was engaged and participated in class. Her behavioral problem was due to the fact that her shoes were way too small. 

Unfortunately, social workers’ first concern is with getting their needy families shelter and food, and with so many children in need, they are able to use the resources available at the Assistance League of Seattle’s Operation School Bell to get their needy students clothing, shoes and a hygiene kit.

The President of the organization, Kristen Klein, toured us through the Operation School Bell facility, which looks like a living room that’s been turned into a small department store. There’s a Girls and a Boys section, each piled with neatly-arranged coats, shirts, pants, socks, underwear and more. Each child is given a shopping list and may select a backpack, warm coat, gloves, knot hat, two pairs of pants, two shirts, athletic shorts, socks, underwear, a hygiene kit, and a $25 Payless gift card for shoes. 

“We used to give shoe cards with $20 value on them, but the families couldn’t pay tax so we made it $25,” says Kristen. Additionally, they offer school uniforms, maxi skirts and leggings for girls from religiously observant families, and extended sizes so that no child is turned away. It costs $150 to clothe each child x 1650 students = approximately $247,500 was spent last year at Operation School Bell. 

There are many chapters of Assistance League around the nation, although there tends to be more on the West Coast. All chapters are required to have Operation School Bell as one of their philanthropies, though they differ in how they are run at each chapter. The Assistance League in Bellevue, for instance, takes the children to a Fred Meyer, gives them a clothing allowance, and helps them to pick out clothes. 

The Assistance League of Seattle’s main revenue source is it’s Thrift Shop, which is adjacent to its OSB building. The building is much like the Operation School Bell, but instead of children’s clothes there are women’s clothes, men’s clothes, books and housewares. Friendly volunteers staff the shop, while beneath the surface in the basement, more volunteers sift through even more gently used donations!  Upstairs in the attic, there is an entire room dedicated to Christmas decorations. 

How can you help?

Operation School Bell depends on support from us. Instead of going to the Goodwill to make your donations or your purchases, consider going to this localWallingford organization instead. You can also become a member and a volunteer.  Next Fall 2017, the Assistance League of Seattle will be the starting an Assisteens Auxiliary for students in grades 7-12. This group will be independent of the Assistance League of Seattle, have its own Board, make its own money (by Assisteens volunteers working in the Thrift Shop, as well as other ways), and decide what philanthropies they would like to support or create and support. Some ideas that have been put forth might be a Team Teen Philanthropy where the Assisteens use the funds that they’ve raised to clothe homeless teens. All interested students should reach out to Heather Baker, Assisteens Chair, at [email protected].

One important thing to mention is that the Assistance League of Seattle is entirely run on the devoted work of its volunteers, who sacrifice their time to help people in need. I encourage our community to support the Assistance League of Seattle and the important work they are doing. 

Coming from a position of privilege, I had no idea that poverty could affect so many children. This local cause is something I believe we should support wholeheartedly, as a community. You can learn more or make a donation at www.seattle.assistanceleague.org.

Here’s a wonderful way to get involved today:

NOW THROUGH DEC 15th

Assistance League of Seattle’s 

Children Holiday New Coat Drive

Sizes needed: Girls & Boys 7,8,10, 12 & 14.