Project Fresh Clothes helps provide a fresh start

PORTAGE COUNTY – A group of volunteers continues to serve local kids in need through Project Fresh Clothes, an event designed to give students pre-K through 12 a fresh start in the new school year. Volunteers give out close to $20,000 worth of vouchers to over 1,000 students each year. Cathy Martin, one of the leaders of the project and a retired teacher, said, “It’s a community mission, but St. Paul’s United Methodist Church has been running the program and this is the 24th year.
“It was started by a high school girl for a Girl Scout project. She had it in her basement, and it grew so much they moved to the armory. When we took over the program, we would set up a ‘store’ at the Junior High the same day that Project Fresh Start was giving out school supplies. They would come into the gym and collect articles of clothing.”
Nine years ago, the group switched to vouchers instead of stocking clothes for the event.
They now give each child who qualifies for Project Fresh Start (which is through the Free and Reduced Lunch Program) a clothing voucher for $20. The vouchers are good to purchase articles of clothing at Call it New, Nice as New, Other Mothers and the Community Thrift Store of Portage County. The students can choose something new to start the school year.
The group needs donations from the community to support this mission for families. People can sponsor one child, two, three or more children. Any and all donations are appreciated. 100% of every dollar goes to support clothing vouchers. This year’s event will be on August 15. Volunteers will continue to accept donations as the students and families use their vouchers during the first semester.

“I have witnessed in my years of teaching children who are embarrassed about their clothes in the fall when school starts. They grow so much over the summer and new clothing is great for their self-confidence. This helps parents immensely with finances to get children ready for school,” Martin said.
Donations may be made to St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 600 Wilshire BLVD. Stevens Point, WI 54481. Please write Project Fresh Clothes in the memo on a check.
For more information, call Cathy Martin at 715-340-8426, Mary Schultz at 608-609-6271 or email jcmartin@charter.net.