Students in the Selma City School System have an opportunity to help those less fortunate, and earn a few extra grade points, by participating in the Truancy Center’s annual uniform drive.

From now until May 22, students who donated their old school Selma City School uniforms to the Truancy Center will receive five bonus points added to their grade, said Truancy Officer Lorraine Capers.

“There are boxes placed at all the schools for students to turn in their uniforms,” Capers said. “If they give their name to the assigned person in charge of the collection at their school, they can receive bonus points.”

Capers added that students do not have to donate uniforms designated for their particular school, just as long as the clothing items are approved for any school in the city school system.

Selma Steam Laundry and Cleaners will donate their services by washing all of the uniforms.

All of the donated uniforms will be distributed in the first week of August at the Selma Mall.

Capers said the Truancy Center’s uniform drive tends to be successful each year, with a large participation from students.

Last year, the Truancy Center collected around 1,000 uniforms to distribute to needy families.

Along with the uniform drive, there will also be a “Pack the Bus” campaign to collect school supplies for children from low-income families.

A yellow school bus is usually parked in the Selma Mall during the summer months with drop-off containers for area residents to donate various school supplies.

Capers said she would announce the exact time and date of the uniform give-a-way after all the uniforms have been collected and cleaned.

For more information about the school uniform drive, contact Capers at 876-4419 or any Selma City school.