MAM Launches Annual Back to School Program with a Goal of Helping Over 5,900 Local Children

Houston, TX, August 18, 2016 --(PR.com)-- Do you remember your first day of school? Do you remember shopping with your parents for new school clothes? For most of us, it was a chance to wear new clothes, sport new shoes and spend time getting ready with Mom and Dad. It was a fresh new start every year. Sadly, many children in our area will not have the same experience because purchasing new school clothes is a financial burden families cannot afford. This is where MAM and our community work together to help children in need.

The annual MAM Back to School Drive provides new school clothing to local kids in need. New clothes for school send a great message to a child – school is important, and so are they. Providing uniforms or school appropriate clothing plays a critical role in giving children the basics – and the confidence – they need to succeed in school. MAM hopes to help at least 5,900 children in 2016.

How the Back to School Program Works:
School counselors and nurses in MAM’s service area contact MAM with the number of at-risk students in need of a uniform. MAM then provides each school with clothing vouchers for the parents, redeemable at nearby partner stores. Parents use the vouchers to shop for new clothing with their children from an approved list. Finally, each partner vendor then sends MAM a bill for the total number of vouchers redeemed in their store. This way, children have the same shopping experience as their classmates, and in the eyes of the child, mom and dad maintain their hero status.

Minnie’s Story:
Every time Minnie had to go home and tell her mom she had detention, she was sad. Her teacher was angry for having to remind her to tuck in her shirt, but Minnie knew it didn’t fit. Minnie could not understand why her mom’s eyes filled with tears at the news. Her mom knew she was growing and there was no extra money for clothing.

The next day, Minnie’s mom attended a parent teacher meeting. They met with the counselor who gave her two MAM vouchers for school uniforms. That day after school, Minnie was shocked when her mom took her shopping. She got a whole new uniform, shoes included. Now her uniform fit and she was so happy. MAM works with schools all year identifying children like Minnie in need of school uniforms.

It takes approximately fifty dollars to provide clothing, socks, belt, underwear and shoes for one child, and contributions at any level are appreciated. Individuals and businesses can help by making online donations, holding a drive to raise funds at work, church, or groups, sending our donation link to friends, or challenging employees by matching funds raised. Online donations can be made at www.maministries.org/backtoschool.

“As a community, we must all work together to eliminate barriers to regular school attendance, relieve family stress and build each child’s self-confidence,” said Martha Macris, MAM President and CEO, “MAM’s Back to School Program is uniquely positioned to lead the charge. We have the strategy, the relationships and a proven history of success.”

If your family needs help with school clothing, please contact your school’s counselor, nurse or front office staff to see if they participate in MAM’s Back to School program. For more information or to organize a drive, please visit www.maministries.org/backtoschool or email Christina Luna Finley, Development Officer, at cfinley@maministries.org. MAM is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, and all donations are tax-deductible to full extent of the law.