Group takes families shopping

Published 11:16 pm Friday, August 31, 2007

LYNNWOOD — Kelli Wheeldon, 25, could never afford to take her children school shopping.

Wheeldon, a single mother of three children in Lynnwood, barely makes enough money to pay her monthly bills working the swing shift at a gas station.

This week, her fortunes changed.

Wheeldon outfitted her kids with sweatshirts, pants, hats, sleepwear, school supplies and more at Clothes For Kids, a Lynnwood-based nonprofit agency that provides clothing and school gear for low-income families. The nonprofit opens each year just before school and remains open through the school year.

“This is the first time we’ve been able to go shopping,” said Wheeldon, who also brought her boyfriend’s two children. “This is huge for all of them.”

Clothes For Kids, which has served families in the Lynnwood area since 1984, was expanded this year to accommodate children from all over Snohomish County. This is the first year the organization has given out school supplies and backpacks.

Families can be referred to Clothes For Kids by school districts, churches and other civic groups. Or parents can call the organization to see if they are eligible for aid.

Since opening its doors at 16725 52nd Ave. W., Suite B, on Monday, the mostly volunteer organization has already helped more than 300 children a record number for so short a period of time, shop manager Nancy Laird-Burris said.

“It’s going great, absolutely great,” Laird-Burris said. “Our only concern is that inventory is flying off the shelves.”

On Friday, parents and children at the Clothes For Kids shop browsed through racks of clothing as if they were shopping at Target.

Mark Smith, the organization’s new executive director, beamed as he helped children pick out pencil boxes, paper, glue, folders, binders and other school supplies.

Later this month, the organization also plans to provide office-ready clothing to men, women and teens for work and job interviews.

“We’re trying to create one-stop shopping for families,” Smith said.

Heather Ann McNair, 46, of Mountlake Terrace, has taken her children to Clothes For Kids for the past six years. She is living on financial aid while working toward an associate’s degree from Shoreline Community College. Her goal is to someday own a beauty salon.

“I use the service, and it’s a godsend,” McNair said. “Twice a year, I depend on them to provide clothes for my kids.”

McNair first heard about Clothes For Kids through her children’s elementary school, where they were on a free-and-reduced lunch program.

Wheeldon learned about the program Thursday, when she went to fill out paperwork at Spruce Elementary School, where her children are about to start classes.

The single mother was overwhelmed when a school counselor gave her a list of needed school supplies. Then, the counselor told Wheeldon about Clothes For Kids.

A day later, she had everything her children needed.

“Now we feel like we can do this ourselves,” Wheeldon said. “We don’t have to depend on family.”