By Vanessa Mosharaf
Buckner International

(RIO GRANDE VALLEY, Texas) — The Shareable Wearables clothing drive in the Rio Grande Valley is stronger and more successful than ever in it’s 11th year, according to project organizers.

Monica Skrzypinski, Buckner community affairs, said many children in the Valley don’t have enough clothes for school and ostracize themselves from community involvement to avoid criticism for their clothing.

“We try to take that burden away from the parents to make sure that the children’s self-esteem is not tainted by not having clothes,” she said.

Skrzypinski said the program has received community-wide recognition with many local schools decorating donation bins to have on campus year-round.

“I think it’s wonderful to see children helping children,” she said

The recognition has also raised the bar for Buckner in the community’s eyes, Skrzypinski explained.

“People see the logo and start asking questions about what we are doing,” she said. “The community now has an expectation of Buckner to help.”

The need for an effort this big is clear, Skrzypinski said. People call year-round asking for clothing.

“God has a wonderful way of working things out. When we think the warehouse looks empty, we get a call from someone wanting to donate. God always provides and the warehouse is packed again,” she said.

The clothing drive has grown so big, Skrzypinski said, that the community is now looking for new ways to help. Many volunteers help to sort the clothes and others donate gift cards for families to spend at Wal-Mart.

“We are always so grateful for all the donations and the people that volunteer,” she said. “We need them to keep this project going.”

Buckner partners with Texas State Bank, News Channel 5, many local public schools and the local community centers to help hundreds of local children in need each year.

To learn more about donating your time or your gently used clothing to Shareable Wearables, contact Monica Skrzypinski at mskrzypinski@buckner.org or by phone (956) 585-4847.