This fall, back-to school time was a little less stressful and more fun for lots of youngsters in Madison County.   In fact, 123 youth in the county were participants in a program involving Community Action Partnership and Herb Phillipson’s stores that allowed CAP to interview and screen families who were low income and in need of school clothes.

CAP was awarded a grant from the Community Services Block Grant to help out school aged youth. CAP staff met with each family who provided documentation to meet income qualifications (125 percent poverty level) and who had transportation problems close to their home or work. If approved, the family member and student received a voucher for Herb Phillipson’s that could be used for back to school items (clothing, shoes, boots, school supplies).

In many cases, the families were facing unemployment, were employed but didn’t earn enough to buy school clothes, had a single mom or dad who were facing tough times or a parent who was disabled. Clothing in the stores and at thrift shops was just out of their reach for their budgets.

The participants shared the feeling and excitement of having something new and in style to wear especially in middle and high school. They felt special, particularly when they could wear clothing that was considered popular, as well as grateful for receiving sneakers, boots or warm jackets — all high ticket items, according to a CAP press release. The parents and youngsters expressed their deepest appreciation to CAP either by notes or in person.