LORAIN, Ohio — The Lorain County branch of the Boys and Girls Club received a $1.4 million clothing grant to help local kids and families.

What You Need To Know

  • The Boys and Girls Club of Lorain County received a $1.4 million clothing grant

  • Lorain County Jobs and Family Services found families in need of clothing based on their eligibility for TANF funding

  • The grant will provide about $400 worth of clothing for 3,200 children

“They sent out applications to see if families would be interested throughout Lorain County—7,500 letters went out and out of those 7,500, 3200 ... children chose to have clothing," said Area Director Diane Crumley.

Crumley says the Lorain County Job and Family Services found families in need of clothing based on their eligibility for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funding.

"So, ages 6 to 12 were able to choose package one, which was a uniform package of khakis and polos. Package two was a play package of joggers and t-shirts, and package three is a combination of both uniform in play, and then all children were able to receive brand new shoes, a brand new book bag, hats, socks, hoodies, a three-in-one jacket (and a) mesh bag. So, it's over almost $400 worth of clothing each child is going to receive.”

Crumley says they've done clothing drives in the past, but this one will help more than three times more kids in a time when help is really needed.

“I would say based on the applications that we've received that this need is greater now. I think that a lot of families, because of the unknown fate, their home lives are so different and school life is so different that this gives families an opportunity to say, 'I can get this support and help from my community, and I can focus my resources elsewhere,'” Crumley says.

For the next two weeks, dozens of staff members will pack 3,200 clothing bags.

“It's a welcome feeling for me to know that we're really serving some of the needs of our children, especially your school-age children that really are walking into such a unknown world right now,” says Crumley.

Distribution of the clothing bags will begin Sept. 11 at two sites: Desich Family Campus, and the Elyria South Community Center in Elyria. Times are as follows:

  • Sept. 11 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Sept. 12 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Sept. 18 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Sept. 19 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Sept. 21 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information you can go to https://www.loraincountybgc.com/