The first day of school means new supplies, new friends and, for well over 300 children in Fannin County, new clothes thanks to Kids First Clothes Closet.

Kid's Closet is a community outreach program of First Baptist Church in Bonham and the numbers would seem to indicate the challenge to meet the needs of local children has never been greater.

"In three days last year, we helped 293 children," says volunteer Kids First Clothes Closet worker Dana McBroom.  "This year, on the second day, we have already assisted 315 children." 

For eight years now, Kid's Closet has been supplying gently used and even some new clothing for local children in need ranging in age from birth to sixth grade.  Kids First Clothes Closet is open to any child in Fannin County and, as the only children's closet in the county, this organization fills a glaring need in the community.  Each child is outfitted with two gently used pair of pants, five tops and one set of new clothes, new underwear, new socks and even one new pair of shoes.

Personal hygiene is also considered. 

Children can pick out a new toothbrush in their favorite color, as well as toothpaste.  Parents can pick up a Bible in the language of their choice.

For the past six years, volunteers at Kids First Clothes Closet have held a Back to School event to make sure local youngsters are ready for that first day in class.  Thursday, August 21 will be the last day of the Back to School special for 2008, but Kid's Closet is open year round on Thursdays from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. or by appointment when special needs arise.

Supplying several hundred children with much-needed back to school clothes takes a concerted effort from the local community, from the First Baptist Church in Bonham, plus donations from other churches that believe in the mission of Kid's First Clothes Closet. 

For example, Mrs. McBroom's husband, Dr. Randy McBroom, is pastor at Bethel Baptist Church in Whitewright and Bethel Baptist Church contributed $3,000 to help Fannin County children have new clothes for the school year.  First Baptist Church in Bonham has a special fund dedicated to Kids First Clothes Closet and McBroom estimates that $6,000 was used specifically to purchase new clothes this year.

A core staff of four volunteers operates Kid's Closet, but during the Back to School rush, thankfully their numbers swell to approximately 25 helpers. 

Even the current location of Kids First Clothes Closet is something of a gift to the community.  For the first five years of its existence, Kid's Closet operated out of the former Bailey Inglish Elementary School building.  But three years ago, Lillian Wanslow donated her home just north of First Baptist Church to the church and the location soon evolved into Kids First Clothes Closet.

"We try to set this up like a children's store and allow them to shop," McBroom explains. 

The entry room has books and toys along two walls in case younger children need something to occupy their attention while moms and dads select clothing for their children.

But the Back to School rush has depleted to clothing on hand and the community is being asked to help fill the shelves so that Kid's First Clothes Closet can meet the clothing needs of more Fannin County children.

If you would like to donate clothes or help buy new children's clothes with financial contributions, please call the First Baptist Church office at 903-583-8519.