People looking to update their formal wardrobe but can’t afford it can visit the Davenport Public Library later this month for its sixth annual Formal Wear Giveaway.
Marketing Coordinator Tessa Wallace says all three branches are accepting donations this Friday [16th] and Saturday [17th], including dresses, suits, dress pants, sports coats, belts, and ties. Anyone can drop in after 9 am to donate items, excluding shoes and jewelry.
She says the giveaway started when a past library employee wanted to help adults attending the Iowa Quad Cities Night to Shine prom.
“[T]hat giveaway started because one of our amazing programmers at the library had a personal connection to people, some individuals who go to the Iowa Quad Cities Night to Shine, which is a really amazing prom experience for adults,” Wallace said in an interview with WVIK. “And some of those people didn't have access to formal clothing. So she had this idea to do kind of a drive and giveaway, and it's been going great ever since.”
This is the second weekend donation drop-off since last weekend. Wallace says anyone can participate regardless of whether they are a resident of the Quad Cities.
“So the library is just happy and overjoyed to provide any sort of free experience for our community. We love the community-building aspect of this, how the community donates, and then we give it right back to our community,” Wallace said. “Anything the library can do for free, to provide for people exactly what we want to do. And we do it every single year just because it's so fun and heartwarming, and seeing people get a dress that really makes them feel great about themselves, or a sports coat that fits perfectly. It's a really good feeling, and we love connecting our community and helping our community.”
For people interested in donating formal wear, Wallace says one item is particularly popular.
“I think we're always looking for tons of options for women's dresses. That's our most popular category. So, even like bridesmaids' dresses that people, you know, got for a wedding once and are never going to wear again. That's a great donation for us,” Wallace said.
Wallace says the library will have a changing room for people to try on items. The giveaway is later this month on Friday, January 30th, from 2 to 5 p.m. and again on Saturday, January 31st, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The giveaway is being held at the library’s Fairmount Branch, 3000 North Fairmount Street, Davenport.
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