Officials at Sidney United Methodist Church are making philanthropy fashionable.
Rev. Brandi Craver, though new to the congregation, said the church’s prom dress giveaway program has been going on “a number of years.”
“The church’s youth program recognized the need for youth in the community to have access to prom dresses, because people would get an invitation to go to the prom but, due to a number of circumstances, were not able to access a prom dress and wouldn’t be able to go,” she said. “We wanted to be sure that youth were able to enjoy all of those school events that require more resources than some families have.”
At the time of the interview, Craver said the church had about 50 dresses from which to choose.
“Dresses were collected, donated and stored up at the church so, each year, we provide this prom dress giveaway,” she said. “At this time, it’s by appointment. We did have designated giveaway days already, but we would like to, as prom dates are coming closer, make them available by appointment.
“We have two changing rooms with full-length mirrors and it’s a lot of fun,” Craver continued. “During those two days that we already had, families came together and girls brought friends and they just had a fashion show.”
The free program, Craver said, is open to “all students.”
“It’s Mount Upton, Bainbridge, Afton, Greene — there is no limit,” she said. “It’s for anybody that needs a prom dress, and the best way (to schedule a try-on session) would be the church phone number or email address, and if people leave their contact information, we’ll contact you and set up a private appointment. Myself or others will just customize your appointment.”
Craver said dresses have been sourced from the community.
“What we have is dresses collected from previous years and we’re not actively taking donations right now, because we’re trying to clear out inventory,” she said. “They’re all sorted according to size. I want to give props this year to Dolores Nabinger, from Bainbridge, and some of her friends and other church volunteers who have moved them into the fitting room and sorted things.”
Craver said dresses will remain available “right up until prom.”
“It’s such a cool idea, it really is,” she said. “I knew about this before I became the pastor and always thought it was beautiful ministry. It’s sustainability, it’s good stewardship. We just want young people to be able to enjoy their prom experience, if they want to, and not have any financial limitations or other access limitations.”
For more information, call Sidney United Methodist Church at 607-563-1921 between 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, or email sidneyumc4@gmail.com.
The Sidney United Methodist Church is at 12 Liberty St.