About

PTA Clothing Bank

The Springfield Council PTA Clothing Bank provides free, essential clothing to students in Springfield Public Schools so they can attend school with comfort, confidence, and dignity. The Clothing Bank exists to support students and families during times of need and to remove clothing insecurity as a barrier to learning.

How the PTA Clothing Bank Works

The PTA Clothing Bank serves students through referrals from Springfield Public Schools. School staff—including counselors, social workers, and administrators—identify students who could benefit and help connect families to the Clothing Bank.

Families shop for clothing in a welcoming, supportive environment and select items their child needs, such as everyday clothing, coats, shoes, and seasonal essentials. The Clothing Bank is operated by Springfield Council PTA volunteers in partnership with the school district and community supporters.

At a glance, the Clothing Bank:

• Serves students referred through their school
• Allows families to select clothing in a respectful, supportive setting
• Is staffed by trained volunteers focused on dignity and care

Our History

The Springfield Council of PTAs has a long tradition of service rooted in compassion and community care. In the early 1900s, PTA volunteers supported families and children through hands-on service, including sewing, knitting, and responding to local needs during times of hardship.

In 1932, partnerships with the Kiwanis Club and The News-Leader launched the first organized clothing drives, laying the foundation for what would become the PTA Clothing Bank. Over the following decades, these efforts expanded through collaborations with local schools and community organizations.

A major milestone came in 1975, when the PTA Clothing Bank began operating out of Boyd School, later relocating to Bailey School and eventually to Study School to improve accessibility. Today, the Clothing Bank continues to adapt to meet community needs, providing clothing to thousands of Springfield Public Schools students each year while honoring a legacy of dignity, resilience, and care.