BOZEMAN, Mont. — The HRDC hosted its annual back-to-school shopping event in Bozeman on Tuesday.
New and gently used clothing, jackets, shoes, bags and personal care products geared toward students entering middle and high school were available at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds.
Organizers say the event has become increasingly popular as the cost of living in the community has gone up in recent years, with over 300 students showing up to the fairgrounds to shop last year.
The HRDC was expecting an even higher turnout this time around, and representatives say they are incredibly grateful to community members and businesses who donated items, services and gift cards for students in need.
“It can be really hard to be a teen going back to school when you don’t have the same resources, the same school bag, the same shoes or anything new to wear,” said Emma Hamburg, HRDC’s Outreach and Events Coordinator. “We’re really here to be that safety net, and because of this event, we want to make sure that no kid goes back to school feeling like they don’t fit in.”
Local cosmetologists volunteered their time at Tuesday’s event as well, offering free haircuts to help students start the semester off in style, something Hamburg said is typically a highlight of the event.
“It’s such a special thing to be able to do at no cost, because that could be something that gets budgeted out,” she said.
Prior to shopping, students had the opportunity to receive a variety of free health care screenings onsite from doctors with the Vituity Cares Foundation, including vision exams and sports physicals, a new addition this year.