KBOI Channel 2
By Naomi Rivera – April 4, 2025
‘Cinderella’s Closet’ making prom affordable for Ada County students
GARDEN CITY, Idaho — Each year during prom season, the Assistance League of Boise, a local non-profit and thrift store, puts on “Cinderella’s Closet,” offering affordable prom dresses to Idaho students.
Cinderella’s Closet has over 300 dresses ranging in sizes for all students. Ada County high school students can come in with a school ID and purchase up to two dresses for $10 each.
Co-Chair Carolyn Hancock says her favorite part of the initiative is seeing the joy on students’ faces when they find the right dress. “It’s just a joyful occasion because it’s all positive and fun, and we, as you know, get to relive our prom days a little bit through our younger sisters,” Hancock said.
KTVB7
By Maggie O’Mara – September 1, 2024
7’s Hero: Operation School Bell brings new back-to-school clothes and smiles to Boise kids
The Assistance League of Boise’s Operation School Bell has provided brand new clothing and shoes to almost 75,000 elementary students since 1990.
GARDEN CITY, Idaho — Have you heard about Operation School Bell? It’s an incredible opportunity for kids ages K-6 in the Boise community to get some much needed back to school clothes and shoes.
The ladies from the Assistance League of Boise make it possible each year. They take kids referred from their schools on a shopping spree at their headquarters in Garden City.
Idaho News 6
By Jessica Davis – November 3, 2023
Operation School Bell program almost reaches assistance goal
GARDEN CITY, Idaho — Back in August, the Assistance League of Boise began its annual benchmark program Operation School Bell, where they take students in the Treasure Valley on their own shopping spree.
“We’re here at Operation School Bell I brought about 40 students to come down here and we are getting some new clothes jackets, shirts, and even a book,” says Brody Leatham.
Brody Leatham is the counselor for Hillcrest Elementary, just one of many schools that participate in the program. Depending on the need, some schools can take advantage of the program more than once.
Idaho News 6
By Jessica Davis – September 7, 2023
Students receive new clothes and garments through Operation School Bell
GARDEN CITY, Idaho – The start of the school year can be an exciting time with all of the shopping for supplies, making new friends and of course, updating the wardrobe. The Assistance League of Boise is taking hundreds of Treasure Valley students on a back-to-school shopping spree. “Operation School Bell is the benchmark program for assistance leagues across the country,” said Leslie Anderson, the Co-Chair for Operation School Bell. “It’s designed to give clothing to children in need.”
KTVB7
By Hector Mendoza – August 30, 2023
Operation School Bell provides Ada County students with new clothes
The Assistance League of Boise spent roughly $340,000 this year to support students. For some kids, it will be their first time with new shoes or a warm coat.
GARDEN CITY, Idaho — The start of the school year can make many students nervous, especially when they don’t have everything they need. Getting those necessities can also be expensive.
To help students in need, the Assistance League of Boise once again kicked off Operation School Bell on Wednesday in Garden City. The program provides clothing to kindergarten to sixth-grade students in Ada County.
The program helps about 3,400 children each year and has been collaborating with Ada County school districts to provide students with brand new clothing since 1990.
ktvb.com
By ktvb.com – Feb 17, 2023
Assistance League of Boise providing brand-new clothes to students in need
Assistance League of Boise’s volunteers have been working hard this month to provide middle school and junior high students brand new clothing in conjunction with their Operation School Bell Teen Retail program. Teaming up with the retail mogul JCPenny’s have given teenage students confidence by providing much needed clothing at no cost to the students. Roughly 800 students from nearly 30 different schools in Boise, Kuna and West Ada School Districts participated in Teen Retail in February.
Idaho Press
By IDAHO PRESS STAFF newsroom@idahopress.com – February 5, 2023
Assistance League of Boise distributes books to Ada County elementary schools
BOISE — Assistance League of Boise has once again found a way to support our community by placing books in the hands of children. Assistance League chapters all over the country participate in what is deemed Action Week.
Working closely with the Boise School districts, the Assistance League of Boise was able to identify a unique solution for the literacy needs of elementary school students in the Treasure Valley. ALB purchased and distributed 78 sets of decodable books called “The Frog Series.” Decodable books encourage children to sound out words using a learned decoding strategy rather than guessing from pictures.
Funding for Action Week is generated from community donations, private contributions, grants and proceeds from the sales at ALB’s thrift shop in Garden City.
ktvb.com
By ktvb.com – 4:39 PM MDT August 8, 2022
Assistance League of Boise providing school supplies for kids in need
“Operation School Supplies” provides supplies to about 12,000 elementary and middle school children to help them with the start of the school year.
Idaho Press
By IDAHO PRESS STAFF newsroom@idahopress.com – March 27, 2022
Good Day: Helping Dreams Come True
BOISE — Assistance League of Boise is again offering “Cinderella’s Closet,” a program offering prom wear for reduced rental rates to Ada County high school students. With ID, students can rent formal dresses and tuxedos for $20, which covers the cost of cleaning.
Cinderella’s Closet launches next Saturday, April 2, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and for the rest of April on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesdays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Organizers from Assistance League say that prom can be a milestone in a young person’s life and Cinderella’s Closet can help many Ada County high school kids have a magical evening that might not otherwise be possible. There are over five hundred dresses available to rent, as well as tuxedos with a vest and tie or bowtie.
Donations of gently used gowns, tuxedos and formal wear for Cinderella’s Closet can be dropped off at the Assistance League thrift shop at 5825 N Glenwood Street, Garden City.
Idaho Press
By IDAHO PRESS STAFF newsroom@idahopress.com – September 19, 2021
Operation School Bell where ‘magic happens’
GARDEN CITY — After a year of modified operations due to the pandemic, Assistance League of Boise will again be providing new school clothes for 3,700 elementary students at 80 local schools through Operation School Bell.
Since 1990, Assistance League of Boise has worked closely with the school districts to provide brand new clothing to students with the greatest needs. Students are transported to Operation School Bell to “shop” and are outfitted from head to toe with the help of volunteers. Each year, volunteers work approximately 7,100 hours in preparation time ordering clothes, tagging, assembling kits, scheduling schools, communicating with schools and dressing students.
Idaho News 6
By Idaho News 6 Productions – August 6, 2021
Assistance League of Boise, the June winner, is highlighted in the first few minutes.
Announcements
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Join us for our annual Yard Sale on May 16th & 17th 10:00 – 4:00. Beyond the regular thrift shop items, the Yard Sale includes furnishings, large items, toys and plants! Thousands of items for sale in our parking lot! All sales provide funds to support our philanthropies serving the underserved youth in our community. […]
Our Thrift Shop will be closed May 24 – 26 for Memorial Day and May 30 – 31 for Inventory. No donations will be accepted May 24 – 31.
Assistance League® of Boise Thrift Shop was named Best Thrift Store in the Treasure Valley 2025 by Idaho’s Best, based on votes from the community! The award was accepted by Assistance League of Boise President-Elect Elen Hunt and Thrift Shop Manager Dianne Bennett at an Awards Ceremony on April 23rd. We appreciate all of our […]
Please join us for these upcoming events: Memorial Day Sale — May 21 – 23, and Pre-Inventory Clearance Sale — May 28 & 29
Cinderella’s Closet will be selling prom dresses for the 2025 Prom season starting on April 3rd. See the flyer above or the Cinderella’s Closet page for more details.
Please vote for our thrift shop in the Idaho’s Best of 2025 survey. Voting closes March 18th. Go to www.idahosbest.com and vote for Assistance League of Boise Thrift Shop under Shopping, then Thrift Store. Proceeds from our Thrift Shop sales fund our philanthropies that benefit those in need in Ada County. Thank you for voting!
Assistance League® of Boise Thrift Shop is celebrating its 43rd birthday with 50% off all items in the store on January 23 and 24 from 10 am to 4 pm! Come join us for some great bargains! Your purchases support twelve programs in our community such as Operation School Supplies, Baby Bundles and Cinderella’s Closet.
Assistance League of Boise thanks St. Luke’s Community Health Improvement Fund for their generous grants to Baby Bundles to help us provide clothing, diapers and other essentials to newborns and families in need in both Ada County and Canyon County.
Assistance League of Boise thanks The John F. Nagel Foundation for their generous grants to Operation School Bell to help us provide clothing to children in need in both Ada County and Canyon County. Thank you for helping us provide clothing to children in need!
Come join us at the Assistance League Thrift Store for our Christmas Open House! We’ll bring out all of our holiday finery for this special afternoon. We’ll be open Wednesday, November 13th, from 12 pm to 4 pm. Please plan to stop by our Thrift Shop to check out all of the beautiful items. Best […]
The holidays are HERE, and to help get you ready, stop by Mistletoe House all set up in the Assistance League Philanthropic Center. Holiday linens, jewelry, toys, trees, decorations and other home décor – we have it all at MISTLETOE HOUSE! Every dollar you spend supports the youth in our communities!
Assistance League of Boise thanks the Laura Moore Cunningham Foundation, Inc. for their generous grants for Operation School Bell in Ada County and Canyon County. Thank you for helping us make a difference in the community!
Celebrate National Thrift Shop Day with Assistance League® of Boise! Our entire shop will be 50% off on 8/17. Come find the bargains at 5825 N. Glenwood Street, Garden City. We are open 10 am to 4 pm. All of your purchases help fund our many programs which assist children and adults in our community!
We’re running for Best of Boise in the Consignment/Thrift Store category. We are so proud of our thrift shop and the work we do in the community and hope you will vote for us! Go to https://www.idahopress.com/boiseweekly/best_of_boise/2024_best_of/, scroll down and click on Shopping, then scroll to Consignment/Thrift Store. Finally, click on Assistance League of Boise. […]
Join us on December 2nd to celebrate our 43rd chapter anniversary! Everything in the Thrift Shop will be 50% off.
Visit our thrift shop on Black Friday and save 25%, excluding Seasonal and Jewelry.
Come join us at the Assistance League Thrift Store for our Winter Wonderland Open House on Wednesday, 11/8, from noon until 5 pm. Please stop by to check out all of the beautiful items we saved for this special event. Every dollar you spend helps to support our programs and the precious youth in our community.
The Bown House is open to the public on the first Saturday of each month from 1:00 – 4:00 PM. Step back in time and tour this lovingly restored historical treasure that sits on the grounds of Riverside Elementary School. To learn more, see our History in the Bown House page: https://www.assistanceleague.org/boise/programs/history-in-the-bown-house/
CWI scholarship applications must be submitted no later than July 29th to qualify a scholarship for Fall 2023 classes and no later than December 16th to qualify for a scholarship for Spring 2024 classes. To learn more, see our CWI Scholarships page: https://www.assistanceleague.org/boise/programs/scholarships/cwi-scholarships/
Please join us for our Pre-Inventory sale May 24 – 26. Everything in our Thrift Shop will be 50% off original prices.
Assistance League of Boise’s Thrift Shop was voted The Best Thrift Store in the Treasure Valley and The Best Thrift Store in Idaho in Idaho’s Best™ of 2023 survey. Thanks to all who voted for our thrift shop! Proceeds from our thrift shop sales fund our programs that benefit those in need in Ada County.
Assistance League of Boise awards scholarships annually to hard of hearing students planning to attend a college, vocational or school of the arts program. Completed applications must be submitted by 4/15. See our Project Hearing page under Programs for more information.
We have been honored with a Top-Rated Award for 2022 from GreatNonprofits! We appreciate all of your contributions! https://greatnonprofits.org/org/assistance-league-of-boise-idaho-inc
Our Thrift Shop Receiving Hours for donations have changed: Monday & Tuesday 1 PM – 3 PM, Wednesday – Saturday 10 AM – 3 PM, Closed Sundays and holidays.
- All
- Events
- News
Join us for our annual Yard Sale on May 16th & 17th 10:00 – 4:00. Beyond the regular thrift shop items, the Yard Sale includes furnishings, large items, toys and plants! Thousands of items for sale in our parking lot! All sales provide funds to support our philanthropies serving the underserved youth in our community. […]
Our Thrift Shop will be closed May 24 – 26 for Memorial Day and May 30 – 31 for Inventory. No donations will be accepted May 24 – 31.
Assistance League® of Boise Thrift Shop was named Best Thrift Store in the Treasure Valley 2025 by Idaho’s Best, based on votes from the community! The award was accepted by Assistance League of Boise President-Elect Elen Hunt and Thrift Shop Manager Dianne Bennett at an Awards Ceremony on April 23rd. We appreciate all of our […]
Please join us for these upcoming events: Memorial Day Sale — May 21 – 23, and Pre-Inventory Clearance Sale — May 28 & 29
Cinderella’s Closet will be selling prom dresses for the 2025 Prom season starting on April 3rd. See the flyer above or the Cinderella’s Closet page for more details.
Please vote for our thrift shop in the Idaho’s Best of 2025 survey. Voting closes March 18th. Go to www.idahosbest.com and vote for Assistance League of Boise Thrift Shop under Shopping, then Thrift Store. Proceeds from our Thrift Shop sales fund our philanthropies that benefit those in need in Ada County. Thank you for voting!
Assistance League® of Boise Thrift Shop is celebrating its 43rd birthday with 50% off all items in the store on January 23 and 24 from 10 am to 4 pm! Come join us for some great bargains! Your purchases support twelve programs in our community such as Operation School Supplies, Baby Bundles and Cinderella’s Closet.
Assistance League of Boise thanks St. Luke’s Community Health Improvement Fund for their generous grants to Baby Bundles to help us provide clothing, diapers and other essentials to newborns and families in need in both Ada County and Canyon County.
Assistance League of Boise thanks The John F. Nagel Foundation for their generous grants to Operation School Bell to help us provide clothing to children in need in both Ada County and Canyon County. Thank you for helping us provide clothing to children in need!
Come join us at the Assistance League Thrift Store for our Christmas Open House! We’ll bring out all of our holiday finery for this special afternoon. We’ll be open Wednesday, November 13th, from 12 pm to 4 pm. Please plan to stop by our Thrift Shop to check out all of the beautiful items. Best […]
The holidays are HERE, and to help get you ready, stop by Mistletoe House all set up in the Assistance League Philanthropic Center. Holiday linens, jewelry, toys, trees, decorations and other home décor – we have it all at MISTLETOE HOUSE! Every dollar you spend supports the youth in our communities!
Assistance League of Boise thanks the Laura Moore Cunningham Foundation, Inc. for their generous grants for Operation School Bell in Ada County and Canyon County. Thank you for helping us make a difference in the community!
Celebrate National Thrift Shop Day with Assistance League® of Boise! Our entire shop will be 50% off on 8/17. Come find the bargains at 5825 N. Glenwood Street, Garden City. We are open 10 am to 4 pm. All of your purchases help fund our many programs which assist children and adults in our community!
We’re running for Best of Boise in the Consignment/Thrift Store category. We are so proud of our thrift shop and the work we do in the community and hope you will vote for us! Go to https://www.idahopress.com/boiseweekly/best_of_boise/2024_best_of/, scroll down and click on Shopping, then scroll to Consignment/Thrift Store. Finally, click on Assistance League of Boise. […]
Join us on December 2nd to celebrate our 43rd chapter anniversary! Everything in the Thrift Shop will be 50% off.
Visit our thrift shop on Black Friday and save 25%, excluding Seasonal and Jewelry.
Come join us at the Assistance League Thrift Store for our Winter Wonderland Open House on Wednesday, 11/8, from noon until 5 pm. Please stop by to check out all of the beautiful items we saved for this special event. Every dollar you spend helps to support our programs and the precious youth in our community.
The Bown House is open to the public on the first Saturday of each month from 1:00 – 4:00 PM. Step back in time and tour this lovingly restored historical treasure that sits on the grounds of Riverside Elementary School. To learn more, see our History in the Bown House page: https://www.assistanceleague.org/boise/programs/history-in-the-bown-house/
CWI scholarship applications must be submitted no later than July 29th to qualify a scholarship for Fall 2023 classes and no later than December 16th to qualify for a scholarship for Spring 2024 classes. To learn more, see our CWI Scholarships page: https://www.assistanceleague.org/boise/programs/scholarships/cwi-scholarships/
Please join us for our Pre-Inventory sale May 24 – 26. Everything in our Thrift Shop will be 50% off original prices.
Assistance League of Boise’s Thrift Shop was voted The Best Thrift Store in the Treasure Valley and The Best Thrift Store in Idaho in Idaho’s Best™ of 2023 survey. Thanks to all who voted for our thrift shop! Proceeds from our thrift shop sales fund our programs that benefit those in need in Ada County.
Assistance League of Boise awards scholarships annually to hard of hearing students planning to attend a college, vocational or school of the arts program. Completed applications must be submitted by 4/15. See our Project Hearing page under Programs for more information.
We have been honored with a Top-Rated Award for 2022 from GreatNonprofits! We appreciate all of your contributions! https://greatnonprofits.org/org/assistance-league-of-boise-idaho-inc
Our Thrift Shop Receiving Hours for donations have changed: Monday & Tuesday 1 PM – 3 PM, Wednesday – Saturday 10 AM – 3 PM, Closed Sundays and holidays.