PITTSFIELD, Mass. - The Christian Center in Pittsfield is hosting a back-to-school clothing giveaway on Saturday, Aug. 12.

Resource coordinator Karen Ryan said it’s been a busy week of sorting through donations at the center.

What You Need To Know

  • The Christian Center in Pittsfield is hosting a community day on Saturday, featuring outdoor events and a back-to-school clothing giveaway

  • Resource coordinator Karen Ryan said they're planning to give away about 1,000 items for children grades K-12

  • The center is the oldest nonprofit human service organization in the Berkshires, according to their website

“A woman just went shopping at Target and bought a couple hundred dollars worth of clothes for us,” Ryan said. “We have sizes kindergarten through 12th grade and everything will be labeled and sized.”

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. during the community day at the center, families will be welcome with their kids to pick out five outfits per child for the new school year. Ryan said they are also hoping to offer some new shoes and accessories as well.

“All the tables will be gone, and we will have hundreds, probably about, we're hoping about a thousand items of clothing we have to put out," Ryan said. "A lot of it is new and a lot of it is gently used. So, it's going to be great. We're hoping to get a lot of families. I think that it's important for kids to have nice back to school clothes, to be able to walk in school and feel great about themselves.”

Ryan said the center’s last back-to-school clothing giveaway was three years ago. They brought it back this year to compliment the many backpack drives other organizations are hosting in the area.

Throughout the year, the Christian Center runs a boutique five days a week where people can shop once a week for up to six items of clothing.

Ryan said the center is supported by many volunteers and what has been a flood of donations for the back-to-school drive.

“We couldn't do what we do here without the community," Ryan said. "We are blessed on a daily basis, throughout the whole year, people clothe our families that come here. In July, we served over 300 families who came and shopped weekly. So, this is amazing. When we put out a need, the community jumps in and just wants to help.”

Ryan said the Christian Center has plenty of backpacks and supplies throughout the school year for any students who need them.

The center is always looking for more donations. They're open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Fridays.