TOPEKA (KSNT) — A local thrift store is helping high school students prepare for prom without the high price tag.
The Giving Tree began its third annual prom dress giveaway on March 15, allowing students to take home a free dress with a valid student ID.
Co-manager Tasha Morrissey said a line stretched past nearby businesses when the giveaway started at 1 p.m.
The shop has collected roughly 400 dresses and sent about 40 home with students on the first day.
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Morrissey purchased a pop-up dressing room for the event, but with the large turnout, staff turned five other spaces in the store into changing rooms.
She said the response highlights how expensive prom dresses can be for families and the demand for affordable options.
“They’re hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of dollars, and in the economy right now, I mean, everything’s up in the air,” Morrissey said. “A couple of them you could kind of see the, you know, emotion in their face, and ‘Oh, thank you so much.’ … I’m glad we can help.”
The Giving Tree will continue offering free prom dresses to high school students through March 20.
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