T-L Photo/ROBERT A. DEFRANK Belmont County Commissioner J.P. Dutton listens Wednesday as the board hears a report from the Department of Job and Family Services. The office is taking applications for the School Clothes 4 Kids program.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Belmont County is again helping students start the school year off with the annual School Clothes 4 Kids program, utilizing Temporary Assistance for Needy Families funding.

Belmont County Director of Job and Family Services Director Jeff Felton and DJFS Finance Director Jack Regis Jr. reported to the Belmont County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday on plans to get the word out to families. Felton said the program is available to people whose income is at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level.

“It’s a well-recieved program. People are very, very appreciative when they come in,” Felton said. He said the program dates from about 2014 or 2015.

Felton said students are particularly appreciative of starting the school year with new clothes. With that in mind, the program is getting an early start this year.

“Last year we didn’t get it off the ground until probably October, so we’re trying to be fresh, before school starts, which we should have done last year,” he said. “We’re ahead of the game compared to last year. It’s a program we run every year. Fortunately most counties have excess TANF dollars, that’s our biggest allocation and rather than sending it back to the state we try to put it to use in our community.”

Felton added there are two clothing programs. One is for kinship providers such as grandparents, aunts and uncles who have related children placed with them.

“We have a separate allocation for kinship support, and this is just for the general public who qualify based on income,” Felton said.

“Last year roughly between our two programs plus the money the Community Action Commission helps with for families that are slightly above the 150 percent poverty level and ineligible for TANF, we did nearly $725,000 at the Ohio Valley Mall,” Regis said, adding this proved a benefit to the local economy.

“The mall’s been wonderful to work with,” Felton said.

He said they began spreading out the program days due to the COVID-19 pandemic, since clothing had to be quarantined after it was tried on. They noticed positive changes, including a lack of long lines and crowds.

“I think it’s easier for the staff and definitely easier for the families,” he said.

“They get to pick it out themselves,” Felton said. “It’s for kindergarten all the way through 18, so we’re able to serve the entire school-age population.

Felton said applications can be taken at the St. Clairsville DJFS office and at the Ohio Means Jobs Martins Ferry office until 4:30 p.m. July 19. The shopping days will likely be Aug. 9-11 and Aug. 16-18.

The St. Clairsville office is located at 68145 Hammond Road, and the Martins Ferry office at the Ohio Means Jobs center at 302 Walnut St. Application forms can also be downloaded and printed from BelmontCDJFS.com.

Felton added those families unable to participate on the desgnated days will be accommodated.

“Once we process eligibility, we’re going to assign the shopping days and give them a gift card,” Felton said. “Everyone looks forward to it. I know we’ve started to receive calls. We’re happy to make that announcement.”

Gift cards are worth $300. Felton said all the vendors in the mall accept the gift cards, as well as the Gabe’s shoes and apparel store on the mall property.

Felton said they may hold the event at the same time as Monroe County’s clothing program. He said about 1,800 children were assisted last year, with about the same turnout expected this year.

“We have sufficient funds to meet the needs, no matter what number it is, whether it’s 1,800 or 2,000, we’re not going to turn anybody away,” Felton said. “With the economic situation and COVID, people are still struggling.”

“It’s a great program and it does have a large impact on a lot of kids,” Commissioner Josh Meyer said. “… I love the idea that we’re getting this in before school starts. … It’s well worth the time and effort put into it. … There are a lot of very appreciative people.”