August 24, 2016
By KEITH RYAN CARTWRIGHT
Rutherford County Schools
For families of at-risk students, back-to-school supplies are not the only financial burden that comes with the start of another school year. So too is a lack of basic clothing.
According to Pat Reneau, RCS Clothing Fund manager and longtime attendance teacher at Riverdale, the months of August, September and October are a crucial time for the outreach program that provides at-risk students with essential clothing to assist them with staying in school and ultimately reducing truancy issues.
“Our goal is to shop for these children so they can go to school,” said Reneau, who has data showing a direct improvement with attendance figures. In addition, surveys conducted by RCS indicate truancy is almost always a symptom of other problems happening at home, including lack of basic clothing.
“They feel confident about themselves and have some dignity,” Reneau said, referring to those students who receive assistance through the program.
No other program in Rutherford County provides this type of service with the intention of keeping students in school and 100% of the funds raised are invested directly back to the students. Rutherford County Schools donates all staff time and office resources to support the program to ensure there are no overhead expenses from the clothing fund.
Last school year, Rutherford County attendance teachers volunteered upwards of 500 hours of their time after school to personally shop with 375 at-risk students. That number is up from 260 students five years ago and is expected to increase again this year in concert with increased enrollment figures.
“The homeless program is increasing every year by leaps and bounds,” said Reneau, who is unsure if they would be able to keep up with the demand of the program if the number of students in need of clothing reaches 500.
The average expense per eligible student is $60 for pre-K, $80 K-4, $100 5-8 and $120 for high school students. In many case, Reneau said the children in need of assistance have never been shopping for new clothes.
As a partner agency, the RCS Clothing Fund falls under the education category of the mission statement for the United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties. The United Way, The Richard Siegel Foundation, the MTSU athletic department and private donors contribute to the fund each year.
Donations, which can be paid by cash or check, are tax deductible and can be made by contacting the RCS Attendance Department at 615-893-5812. The school district accepts financial doncations for the clothing fund year-round.
Photo: The Rutherford County Schools Clothing Fund uses community donations to provide basic and essential clothing for children. The top items purchased each year are underwear and socks. / JAMES EVANS