BOZEMAN, Montana — HRDC held its annual back-to-school shopping event in Bozeman on Tuesday.
The Gallatin County Fairgrounds featured new and used clothing, jackets, shoes, bags and personal care products for students entering middle and high school.
Organizers said the event has become increasingly popular as the cost of living in the area has risen in recent years, with more than 300 students coming to shop last year.
HRDC is expecting even more people to participate this time around, and representatives say they are extremely grateful to area residents and businesses who donated items, services and gift cards for students in need.
“It can be really hard for teens going back to school if they don’t have the same resources, the same school bag, the same shoes, new clothes,” says Emma Hamburg, outreach and events coordinator for HRDC. “We’re really here to be that safety net, and through this event we want to make sure that no child feels like they don’t fit in when they go back to school.”
Local hairstylists also volunteered at Tuesday’s event, offering free haircuts to help students start the new semester in style, which Hamburg said is often a highlight of the event.
“This is something that might be outside of your budget, so to be able to do it for free is pretty special,” she said.
Prior to their shopping spree, students had the opportunity to receive a variety of free, on-site health screenings from Vituity Cares Foundation physicians, including vision screenings and sports physicals, new this year.
