The Selma Times-Journal

The sight of a yellow school bus parked inside Selma Mall may be puzzling to some customers, but “the big cheese” is there for a good cause.

On Monday, the Truancy Center will host its fourth annual uniform drive and giveaway at Selma Mall at 10:30 a.m. The drive serves to benefit needy families of students who attend Selma City Schools, said Truant Officer Lorraine Capers.

“We have about 1,500 to 2,000,” Capers said, referring to the number of uniforms stored on the school bus.

“We want to thank all parents for giving away these uniforms to make this event happen.”

Following the end of the 2005-2006 academic year, the city schools, SCOPE, Wallace Community College Selma (WCCS), the Department of Human Resources and the Juvenile Probation Office joined forces to collect Selma school uniforms from area residents.

Prior to distribution, the uniforms are steamed and pressed by Selma Steam Laundry and Cleaners. After a crisp folding, the uniforms are loaded onto the school bus in laundry baskets and transported to the mall.

Students from the Phoenix School will serve as volunteers during the drive and the uniforms are given away on a “first come, first serve” basis, Capers said.

Starting at 11 a.m., tickets will be distributed to those attending the drive. Capers said each ticket is worth two uniforms per child.

It’s still not too late to donate uniforms to the drive, Capers said, adding schools collect uniforms throughout the year. For more information, call (334) 874-4419.