HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Twelve percent of people in Madison County live at or below the Alabama statewide poverty line.
A local nonprofit, Christmas Charities Year Round (CCYR) has partnered with the student council at Jones Valley Elementary for a clothing drive to help the economically challenged in Madison County.
The clothing drive lasted for two weeks and students were encouraged to bring in gently used items.
"So during the holiday season, we will be bringing in as many donations as possible to help stock up to make sure that we have enough clothing, shoes, any kind of apparel," Christmas Charities Year Round Executive Director Hilary Goud said.
The students at Jones Valley understand the importance of helping out their community.
10-year-old Tucker Monroe says, "Were doing a charity for people who don't have enough money for clothes like we do...so like, if they don't have enough money for like a jacket, it's getting near winter time, so like it's going to be cold so they need like jackets and pants and even sometimes just like shirts and stuff."
Families are able to shop and pick up items from from CCYR for free, so donations are greatly appreciated.
"Throughout the year, our clothing program, our furniture, medical equipment , we need those donations so that we can get them back out all year round to folks in the community who need the extra help and they might not have the resources or funding to pay for those things," Goud said.
To learn more about CCYR, visit their website.