New Clothes for Students in Need

Operation School Bell^® is the Leading Provider of New Clothes for Local Underserved Children

During the 2025 Operation School Bell® spring campaign, 481 local students in need were given the opportunity to shop for new school clothes at the Bend and Redmond Walmart stores, thanks to the generosity of the Central Oregon community and Assistance League of Bend. Each student received “tickets to shop” valued at $100 for grades K-5 and $125 for grades 6-12, giving them the ability to select clothing that fits and makes them feel more confident.

The impact of receiving new clothes goes far beyond just the physical items. It plays a significant role in boosting students’ self-esteem, fostering social acceptance, and even enhancing academic performance. One parent, Sarah, recently shared,“Thank you so much for allowing us to participate in Operation School Bell. Money has been tight for a long time, and as we were shopping, I realized my 9- and 11-year-olds didn’t even know how to shop – they were so used to thrifting and hand-me-downs. The looks on their faces when I just said, ‘We can get it, put it in the cart,’ was priceless. They were in awe of being able to pick out their own clothes!” The simple act of feeling good about one’s appearance can have a lasting, positive effect on a child’s life.

In addition to the spring campaign, Assistance League of Bend provided clothing to 1,929 students last fall, bringing the total number of students served this year through Operation School Bell to 2,410. As the leading provider of new school clothes in Deschutes County, Assistance League of Bend continues to be a beacon of hope, equipping students with the tools they need to succeed both in and outside the classroom. Please contact the Family Access Network advocate at your school or call Assistance League of Bend at 541-389-2075 for more information.

ADDITIONAL OPERATION SCHOOL BELL INITIATIVES

Operation School Bell Emergency Clothing

In addition, Assistance League of Bend provides emergency clothing to children entering or transitioning in the foster care system through a partnership with Every Child Central Oregon. Children entering foster care are often taken from their homes very quickly with little time to gather their belongings. Many of them leave with only the clothes they are wearing. We offer two ways to meet those needs:

Emergency Clothing Bundles provide a complete outfit, including a sweatshirt, socks, underwear, pajamas, etc. to sustain the foster child for one to two days.
Emergency Dressings provide new school clothing using the same “Tickets to Shop” provided during our Operation School Bell shopping events. Throughout the year, our members meet with foster families at Walmart, on a case-by-case basis, to purchase necessary essential clothing.

Operation School Bell Literacy

To promote literacy, Assistance League of Bend distributes thousands of new age-appropriate books to low-income children annually. They distribute the books at a variety of community events including the “Page to Screen” movie nights at the Tower Theatre in Bend and pop-ups at local schools like Rosland Elementary in La Pine and Redmond High School. Students can select new books based on their interests and grade level; K-2, 3-5 or 6-8. Assistance League of Bend’s Operation School Bell Literacy initiative helps children continue to improve their reading skills and encourages a lifelong habit.