Since 2000 Mansfield has helped families get clothes and school supplies through the MISD Council of PTA’s Clothes Closet. After a decade of activity their goal remains the same.

The clothes closet relies on donations and two volunteers per hour to operate.

“There is a real need for the help,” Council Clothes Closet Chairperson Kathy Severe said.

The closet takes donations of gently used coats, shoes and clothing and only new socks and underwear. Tax receipts are given upon request. The closet takes all sizes from infants to adults.

“Just this year a father and his two sons came riding their bikes and I was able to send them away with clothes, coats and school supplies,” Severe said.

Parents can pick out three outfits and school supplies for each student, and families may return every six weeks.

To retrieve anything from the closet parents must have a voucher from their students school campus. The voucher proves that the parents have a student in the school district. Vouchers can be obtained from the Nurse, Counselors, PTA Board Members and Bus Drivers.

“People come in and are so very thankful,” Severe said. “It does your heart good.”