The nonprofit Lutheran Social Services (LSS) provides a variety of food, education, health care, clothing and shelter services to children, families, older adults and persons with disabilities throughout Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, regardless of religious affiliation or background. One of its many standout programs is Urban Threads, a clothing distribution center in Wisconsin that collects name-brand clothing for those in need. Every August, the center hosts a “Back to School” event at Milwaukee’s Ascension Lutheran Church (1236 S. Layton Blvd.) that provides children in foster care new clothing, haircuts and school supplies. To help make this event possible, Milwaukee’s Urban Threads program (647 W. Virginia St., Suite 300) is seeking volunteers and sponsors to help provide services and materials for these children.
Donations of new clothing for school-aged children as well as school supplies such as backpacks, pencils, glue sticks, folders and notebooks are needed. Additionally, Urban Threads is seeking volunteers from Aug. 3-15 to help make the event a positive experience for the children involved. Hot meals will also be provided for the children at the event and meal sponsorship (breakfast and lunch) opportunities are available.
“Whether it be donations in the form of time, money or new clothing, this event can only be successful with help from the generosity of citizens and local businesses,” said Shannon Roeglin, an advisory board member of Urban Threads, in a press release.
Donations can be delivered or mailed to 5300 W. Lincoln Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53219. To learn more about volunteering, donating or sponsoring, contact Carla Schultz at 414-380-9067 or carla.schultz@lsswis.org. For more information about LSS, call 800-488-5181 or visit lsswis.org.
