Community Unites to Support LISD Students in Need at Dressed to Learn Event

On Saturday, September 14, many community members united at Durham Middle School to support the Lewisville Independent School District (LISD) Council of PTA’s Dressed to Learn program. This vital initiative provides clothing and hygiene items to LISD students in need, helping them to engage in their education fully. The demand for Dressed to Learn’s services has surged dramatically, with nearly 3,000 students needing assistance this year, compared to 180 last year. 

LISD Superintendent Lori Rapp kicked off the event by speaking to volunteers and emphasizing that the need has dramatically increased since the COVID-19 pandemic. She said that over 40% of LISD students now face economic disadvantages instead of pre-pandemic rates of 31%. She believes that even this higher number is underreported and that the need is closer to 50% of LISD’s student population. One of the top 20 largest school districts in Texas, LISD encompasses over 127 square miles. Due to the string of weather-related disasters in the spring, access to adequate clothing and hygiene products has never been more critical. 

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its humanitarian arm, JustServe, sponsored the interfaith event. Volunteers at the event included members of multiple ministries, DECA students, community families, and even Denton County Commissioner Bobbi J. Mitchell. Donated items included new hygiene items, shoes, and first-layer clothing (undergarments).

Nicole Couch, the local JustServe Specialist, stated: “We had approximately 180 volunteers show up. We put together 200+ full-size and 200+ travel hygiene kits, sorted 200+ pairs of shoes, and organized over 100 pieces of first-layer clothing. It was a very successful event.”

For more information about Dressed to Learn and how you can help, visit Lewisville ISD PTA Council Dressed to Learn.

Feature photo: Top L to R: Nicole Couch, JustServe Specialist; Aaron Graham, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Lewisville Stake Presidency; Carrie Baker, LISD PTA President; Mel Hahn with Dressed to Learn.
Bottom L to R: Chevelle Pridgett and Laralyn Jones with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Dr. Lori Rapp, LISD Superintendent; Allison Lassahn, LISD school board trustee; Bobbi J. Mitchel, Denton County Commissioner; Jacqueline Shaw, CEO of Jacqueline L. Shaw LLC