Lauren Estes-Velez, Hartselle Enquirer

In a little more than a year, a recently-created nonprofit organization in Priceville has provided clothing for 679 children in Morgan and Lawrence counties’ schools.

Clothe Our Kids of North Alabama was started by Brandi Breeden and her husband, who saw the need in the community to clothe, or better clothe, kids in need in Morgan County. Within the last few months, Sara Seibert of Moulton partnered with Breeden, and now the organization is assisting in bettering two counties in North Alabama.

“We started this about 15 months ago. My husband and I felt like we were missing something in our school systems. There was nothing that focused on students and making sure they were provided for,” Breeden said. “We operate through schools, churches and organizations.”

Hartselle is getting in on the goodwill now, as well.

A recent project to accumulate winter clothes for children in need started at Hartselle Junior High School, with members of two active clubs joining together to collect mittens, scarfs, jackets, shoes and more to donate to the organization.

Each person who receives a care package from COK includes six shirts, four pairs of pants, a  pair of tennis shoes, one new pack of socks and underwear and a hygiene kit.

“Teachers and organizations that wish to receive a package for a child in need request one through our website,” Breeden said. “We clothe newborns up to high school seniors.”

COK is currently located behind Priceville Junior High in a building provided by Morgan County Superintendent Bill Hopkins.

“Typically we ask people to reach out to us if they’re wanting to make a donation,” Breeden said. “Drop-off times are on Saturdays each month, but if people want to donate, we can make sure we’re at our location at that time. We only take the clothing, and we look through everything we receive. We are a little picky because the goal is to make sure that everything a student receives makes them feel confident. We don’t keep things with stains or holes or that are too worn.

“Also, clothing has to been age-appropriate and appropriate for school.”

Local organizations have helped with underwear/sock/shoe and other forms of clothing drives through churches and schools, Breeden said.

Currently the organization has a challenge, “Give 5,” which is being discussed in detail on their website and Facebook page.

“We’re asking people to give $5 monthly to keep up our stock of clothing,” Breeden said. “If we all of a sudden have a need for a lot of socks or shoes for a specific age group and run out, we want to be able to restock that. With these donations, we can keep a lot of products in each size and group.”

For more information, visit www.givekidsclothes.com or Clothe Our Kids of North Alabama on Facebook.

Monetary donations can be given online, in person or mailed to P.O. Box 565, Somerville, AL 35670.