PANAMA CITY — As donations trickle in, organizers of an annual school supplies and clothing drive are asking community members to donate their time.
Organizers of Klothes for Kids is seeking volunteers to help distribute back-to-school items to more than 1,000 families in need Aug. 15 and 16.
Klothes for Kids is hosted by a number of churches and businesses in conjunction with the homeless shelter at the Panama City Rescue Mission.
"We need 150 volunteers per shift," said Amanda Bawn, development coordinator at the mission.
Volunteers are needed for all aspects of the giveaway. A volunteer might expect to check-in families, work in the shoe department, guide families through the shopping center or restock the warehouse.
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Three shifts are available for both days, Friday, Aug. 15, and Saturday, Aug. 16: 7:30 a.m. to noon, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
"Personal shoppers," people who guide each family through the shopping center — to be located at the Central Panhandle Fairgrounds on Sherman Avenue and 15th Street, are a most needed volunteer position.
"It's important for the families to be guided by the personal shopper," Bawn said. "It speeds up the process and makes it personal."
The drive is still about 2,000 items short of its goal, but drop-off locations will remain open until Aug. 13 and then donations should be taken to the fairgrounds.
Individuals may sponsor a child for $23.50, which pays for two complete school uniforms, one pair of shoes, underwear, two sets of after-school clothes, school supplies and a belt.
About 818 school children were homeless last year — a far cry from the 1,477 students that were homeless in 2011-2012 school year, according to a report from Florida Department of Children and Families.
"It's really heart-warming to be able to help someone else who's in need and encourage them for the new school year," Bawn said. "We even have a team that offers to pray with each family, and no family ever turns down the opportunity."