GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The start of school is an exciting time for many high schoolers and school dances are a big highlight.
However, as homecoming season approaches, many students and parents struggle to afford more expensive items like new suits and dresses.
One Grand Rapids mom is trying to help lighten the financial burden by creating a space for school dance attire in the food and clothing section of the free pantry at St. Alphonsus Church.
"I know how important it is for students to have fun at their dances and to be able to attend," said Michelle Hatfield, director of social concerns at St. Alphonsus Church. "We had a couple of fancier dresses come in and it sparked an idea to create a 'Let's Dance' section."
The church has had a food and clothing pantry for the last 40 years, providing free items for the Grand Rapids community.
The new section will include dance-related attire like dresses, suits, heels, jewelry and more.
"The goal is really to help students have a great dance experience and feel like they are able to attend because we can hopefully provide some of those things that would normally be a barrier financially," Hatfield said.
The pantry is now accepting donations for the section and Hatfield is hopeful they can provide dance clothes for homecoming, winter dances and prom.
"I was just really excited about it and being able to offer this," Hatfield said. "I see that there's a need and I'm just hoping that if we get enough donations coming in, it's something we can do on a larger scale."
The pantry is located at 224 Carrier St NE in Grand Rapids and is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Anyone interested in donating items can drop them off during the pantry's hours, or contact St. Alphonsus Church to schedule a time for drop off.