Children are enrolled in Operation School Bell^® Shopping Event nights by their school counselors or nurses who determine that they are in verified financial need. Children are grouped by school and assigned to either of the two Fred Meyer stores here in Eugene. When students arrive at their designated store , they are checked in by our volunteers and given a special bracelet that will identify them as official shoppers. Most students must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Students may shop till they have reached the set limit. They are assisted by chapter members who pre-total their items with a Fred Meyer employee. If their purchases are under the limit, they can keep shopping. When they are at limit, they check out.

The students do not receive their own cards or cash. Assistance League donates a maximum amount of $120 to each student in the form of a gift card. These are held by Assistance League volunteers and given to the store clerks for payment at the checkout.

Assistance League of Eugene has a busy group of knitters and their friends who make  hats and scarves as additional gifts to the students.

Parents and children really appreciate the opportunity to choose items for themselves and we are heartened by parents’ appreciation and gratitude. In 2017-18, over 2000 students participated and started off their school year with pride and renewed confidence.