Operation School Bell® Clothes For Kids

Operation School Bell Clothes for Kids partners with selected Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Richfield public schools to provide new school uniforms to economically disadvantaged school children. The goal of the program is to help the children feel better about themselves and to be more comfortable attending school. 80% of teachers surveyed in our partner schools said they’ve observed a positive change in student confidence and 70% of teachers observed a positive change in classroom behavior as a result of their school’s participation in the Operation School Bell Clothes for Kids program. Over 3,000 students per year in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Richfield public schools receive new school uniforms and other school clothing through this program.

Families are really appreciative of the uniform support as this is just another cost that sometimes they cannot afford.

-Sheridan Social Worker

This uniform program helps with consistency and provides the student structure and being part of a community.

-Nellie Stone 5th grade teacher

Operation School Bell® Start Smart

Welcome to one of our newest programs! Assistance League Minneapolis/St. Paul routinely conducts a Community Needs Assessment to determine if our programs are meeting current needs. The assessment also reveals areas for expansion into the community. Our most recent assessment conducted in 2016 brought us together with the Richfield Public School District. The program Start Smart provides students with essential items that promote success in the classroom. Items include school supplies, sensory objects, hygiene products, winter coats, snow pants, hats, mittens, among other needs the schools identify. This program now includes students in Minneapolis and St. Paul. In 2019, Assistance League helped hundreds of homeless students in St. Paul by providing hooded jackets, snow boots and insulated gloves.