Operation School Bell

Operation School Bell^® Provided New Clothes to 745 Students in Winter 2023

During February and March 2023, Assistance League of Bend’s Operation School Bell provided new school clothes to 745 students in kindergarten through grade 12. Similar to the fall clothing campaign, students shopped for new school clothes at the Redmond and Bend Walmart stores on designated shopping days. Assistance League of Bend partners with the Family Access Network advocates at each school to identify children in need. These students are able to select new school clothes that fit and make them feel better about themselves using Assistance League of Bend “tickets to shop” valued at $100 for students in grades K-5 and $125 for students in grades 6-12. Assistance League of Bend has found that new clothes elevate a child’s self-esteem, promote peer acceptance, improve attendance, foster learning, improve graduation rates, and inspire hope.

Operation School Bell Provided New School Clothes to 1,756 Students in Fall 2022

During September and October 2022, Assistance League of Bend’s Operation School Bell provided new back-to-school clothes to 1,756 students in kindergarten through grade 12. This campaign spanned 12 shopping days at the Bend and Redmond Walmart stores. Assistance League of Bend provided high school, middle school and elementary school students with vouchers ranging from $100 to $125 to purchase clothing.

We received many thoughtful thank you notes from students’ parents following the shopping events. One parent shared, “This was a true blessing for my kids. They had a wonderful time picking out their own clothes and learning to budget what they were able to afford. My family is currently struggling for many reasons so this came as a blessing, just in time.”

BendBroadband Internet Program

Assistance League of Bend is partnering with BendBroadband to help low-income families enroll in the TDS Connect Internet program.

Please apply for the Affordable Connectivity Program, a federal program that helps low-income households pay for Internet at https://www.affordableconnectivity.gov/ Once you have applied for the Affordable Connectivity Program, call BendBroadband at 541-803-8040 to either sign up for service or get the credit applied to your account.

All Schools Financial Statistics 2021-2022

All Schools Students Served 2021-2022

Clothing Children in Need (K-12)
Throughout Deschutes County Schools

OPERATION SCHOOL BELL^®

Operation School Bell is the signature program of Assistance League of Bend and has, for over 25 years, enabled thousands of vulnerable Deschutes County schoolchildren in grades K-12 to go to school with confidence and self-esteem wearing new clothing they have chosen for themselves.

According to the Oregon Department of Education, one in five children in Deschutes County live in poverty. Surveys show that children go to school with confidence and self-esteem when wearing new clothing they have chosen for themselves. Attendance improves and bullying decreases.

The students are referred by the local Family Access Network and have the opportunity to shop with a parent and Assistance League’s all-volunteer members and many nonmember community volunteers. The program has been administrated in partnership with Walmart stores in Bend and Redmond and is made possible through grants, fundraisers and donations from the supportive and generous people within the community.

To volunteer, click here