Annual ‘Prom Attire Giveaway’ kicks off Sunday

For a third year, the Candor Children’s Closet and Boutique, located at 1 Water St. in Candor, will kick off its annual Prom Attire Giveaway. This year’s giveaway begins on April 12. Shopping is free to all high school students, with the giveaway taking place every Sunday afternoon from noon to 2 p.m. through May. 

Since the giveaway’s inception, organizers estimate that close to 450 area students have come through their doors, each walking away with prom attire free of charge.

The number of youth participating in the Prom Attire Giveaway represents about 1,200 pieces of clothing and accessories successfully distributed. Organizers of the effort expect that number to continue to grow.

If you have items to donate, they are looking for prom/homecoming dresses, black slacks, suits, button-ups, shoes, ties, and jewelry. These can be taken to 1 Water St. in Candor on Sundays at 2 p.m. You can also call the Candor Children’s Closet and Boutique at (607) 659-5400 to make other arrangements.

The Candor Children’s Closet and Boutique, located on the second floor of the building that houses the food pantry, serves Tioga County families with recycled clothing for infants through teens at no cost. 

According to Pam Spires, who heads up the charitable effort, the Candor Children’s Closet and Boutique opened in April 2024 and kicked off its grand opening with the Prom Attire Giveaway event that year.

The organization is 100% fueled by donations and volunteers, with Spires coordinating the efforts. 

Spires explained that in its first year, they held free shopping days and a back-to-school supply giveaway for the Candor School District, a Halloween costume giveaway, a Homecoming attire giveaway, and a winter wear giveaway open to all high school students. They also have an outreach program that can assist those with emergency needs.

In its second year, the Candor Children’s Closet and Boutique added monthly clothing swaps for those outside the Candor district.

A registered dental hygienist who is “semi-retired,” Spires explained the motivation behind her efforts.

While shopping with her first grandson in 2023, she noted the rising costs and thought how nice it would be if the community came together to help each other out by having a place to donate and swap clothing at no cost and without income restrictions.

“Just neighbors helping neighbors, while reducing our carbon footprint,” said Spires of the effort.

The Candor Children’s Closet and Boutique is located on the second floor of Candor’s Resource Center at 1 Water St.; the building also houses Candor’s food pantry. There is no heat on the second story, so the boutique is closed to on-site shopping from December through March. Spires noted, however, that they will still fill clothing requests for the outreach program. 

You can follow the Candor Children’s Closet and Boutique on Facebook to learn more about their clothing swap, hours, and much more.