TAMAQUA - A former teacher is doing her part to make the upcoming school year a little easier for children and parents in the Tamaqua Area School District.
Until Aug. 12, gently used uniforms, shoes and school supplies can be dropped off at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, 101 N. Greenwood St. Contributions will be accepted from noon to 5 p.m. Monday and Wednesday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday and 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Sunday.
Backpacks and other school supplies are also requested.
"We want this to be a community program," said Rochelle Evanousky, 57. "So anybody who is a little economically deprived or going through hard times can take advantage of the giveaway that we have."
All students in grades kindergarten through 12th must wear appropriate attire. The district dress code requires students to wear navy or tan pants, a navy or white shirt and brown, black or burgundy shoes. Sneakers may be worn but must conform to regulations. Navy, white or tan socks are required. All sizes are needed.
"We'll take anything," Evanousky said.
Items will be distributed from 5 to 7 p.m. Aug. 15 at the church. Registration is not required. The number of things collected will determine if a limit is imposed, she said.
A garment rack of clothing had several blue and white polo shirts that students can wear to school hanging on it. Bags contained pants, sweaters and other items.
The church secretary sent an email about the effort to other churches in the area, Evanousky said.
Other people are involved or have expressed an interest in helping by having students look their best when they go to school, she said.
In her role as a teacher in the district before retiring in 2010, when uniforms were required she didn't see students without uniforms; however, she did notice they did become worn with use through the school year.
The effort was started in late May. Evanousky said she was inspired about reading a past story in The Republican-Herald about a teacher doing something similar.
"I think it really will help people out. It's a hard time for everybody, especially this year," she said about the economy.
"They can come and get this stuff without being known to their peers," said her husband, Joe Evanousky.
"It's basically a little shopping night for free," she said.
The Rev. Jeffrey P. Kistler, interim pastor, said the giveaway is a "wonderful opportunity" to help those in need.