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Community for Kids (C4K-OBX) is a 503c nonprofit that has dedicated its time to assist school children throughout Dare County overcome economic obstacles.

Katy Bell has spearheaded this nonprofit and begun the first of many planned programs through C4K: Clothes for Kids.

Clothes for Kids ensures that elementary school students have the proper clothes they need. Run on a donation basis, the program allows Dare County families to come in and receive gently used donated clothing for their children to have for the school year.

Bell’s overall goal is to have C4K have children of all ages throughout the community come in and work side by side. “The big picture is to get kids engaged with kids and really help the community,” Bell shared with The Coastland Times.

Clothes for Kids being the first step to hands-on volunteer work, Bell said she hopes one day that many middle school and high school students in the area will work with the nonprofit to contribute their time and effort to the community.

For now, Bell and her board members have been working to organize a warm weather distribution event. Given the circumstances surrounding COVID-19, the board has been donated a space to house all the clothes that have been donated by Dare County.

The space, located at 715 Barlow St. in Manteo (at the corner of Barlow St. and Hwy. 64) will serve has the new home to C4K. This distribution will be by appointment only, with one family booked per 30-minute session. Appointments must be made 24 hours in advance and are open to all families.

“We’re opening it up to everybody because of COVID and the unique situation,” Bell shared.

The event starts on August 10 and will run every Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. until August 31. Families are asked to contact C4K to set up an appointment by emailing C4KOBX@gmail.com, calling 252-305-8764 or messaging the C4K Facebook page.

Similar to their last clothing drive, Clothes for Kids was aided by Dare Challenge, O’Neal’s Seafood, Fresh Catch Seafood Packaging and Seafood, Surf Pediatrics and Hotline Thrift Store. The board, comprised of Vicki Basnight, Diane Bognich, Erin Fleckenstein, Peggy Langley, Melissa Dickerson and Bell herself, have come together to collect and organize all the clothes that will be available in the coming weeks.

Donations are still being accepted. Clothes for Kids is in need of elementary student clothes, sizes 4T to 16, specifically bottoms and boys clothing. Those willing to donate can drop off their clothes at the following locations:

– Southern Shores Police Department, 5375 Virginia Dare Trail in Southern Shores

– Surf Pediatrics, 400 S. Croatan Hwy. in Kill Devil Hills

– Kelly’s Automotive (at the covered porch). 720 US-64, Manteo.

READ ABOUT MORE COMMUNITY NEWS AND EVENTS HERE.

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