A school resource officer in Florida creates a free clothes closet at her school for students in need. Officer Grace Albritton, with the St. Petersburg Police, is a Gibbs High School graduate and when she returned to the school as their resource officer, she was looking for a way to help less fortunate students. A couple of years ago, she set up a table to give out donated items to students that might need them, and since then, that concept has grown into a full room dedicated to the “Grab and Go Boutique.”
The shop has new and gently used clothes for boys and girls and any student who needs a new outfit, shoes, or a personal care item can stop by and pick it up free of charge. “I know that our football team comes here because they have to dress up every Friday, game day,” says Albritton. “A lot of them don’t have dress shirts or ties so the coach sends them here and of course we have it for them.”
Seeing the students shopping at the boutique and the joy and excitement they have over getting basic necessities validates Albritton’s efforts. Student Kaden Potak says the boutique allows her to get new clothes she wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford. “I’m actually wearing shoes from the grab and go at the moment, which is really cool.” she beams. “I found these, perfectly good condition, completely new, my size. Perfect!”
Source: Bay News 9