Through their Operation School Bell^®  program, Assistance League of Bend is providing new clothing to 1,200 students in kindergarten through grade 12. During the first three weeks of March, the students will shop for new school clothes at the Bend and Redmond Walmart stores using a $50 voucher provided by Assistance League of Bend and distributed by the Family Access Network advocates at each school. Assistance League of Bend has modified the shopping events to help keep the students and volunteers safe and they are excited to be able to support students in person once again.

Assistance League of Bend continues to see a rising need to provide local children with basic clothing items. In addition to meeting essential clothing needs, Assistance League of Bend has found that students who have new clothes feel more confident, have better attendance, and are less likely to be bullied. Children with better self-esteem are more likely to complete their education, breaking the cycle of poverty  Click here to see the story on KTVZ.