Salvation Army takes kids shopping for school supplies

The Salvation Army of Kalispell, which serves the entire Flathead Valley, recently took 20 local children shopping for back-to-school clothes at Old Navy in Kalispell.

Julie Feist, who headed up the Salvation Army’s Back to School in Style program this year expressed thanks to Carin and her team at Old Navy who, for the second year in a row, opened the store two hours early to accommodate the group.

A group of volunteers was on hand to help the students shop. Each “Shopping Buddy” took one or two children shopping. Many donors also helped make the event possible.

After shopping for new clothes, the children were each given a backpack full of school supplies.

“We cannot do what we do without our donors and volunteers. Together, we’re better” Salvation Army Corps officer Maj. Larry Feist said. “We want children to go back to school with the tools they need, so they can feel confident.”

The Salvation Army is also planning a movie night in September for the children and their parents to kick off its youth programming, which will coincide with the start of the school year.