Operation School Bell®
About The Program
Many public elementary schools in the nine districts in El Paso County require students to wear uniforms. Some families do not have the means to purchase the required uniforms. Thus, Operation School Bell is here to help!
Children are identified by their school administration. Assistance League of El Paso provides these students with a week’s worth of new school clothing; with the goal of improving their attendance, academic performance, as well as their self-esteem.
Students arrive at the chapter house via school buses and each child is greeted by volunteers who work one-on-one to help them select their new clothing. When transportation cost prohibit a school from coming to us, volunteers use order forms containing the student’s sizes and color preferences to pack a personalized bag for each student.
Clothing is purchased with funds raised by our Thrift Shop, grants, fundraising events, and generous donations from members and the El Paso community. More than 113,000 children have been helped to date.
Please contact the counselor of the school your student attends and they can determine your eligibility for the program.
Program Statistics
2025-26
Program Info
When kids have what they need to show up every day, they’re more likely to stay in school, learn to read, and build a brighter future.
Each Child in grades 1-5 receives
- Three pairs of pants or jeans
- Three Polo or T-shirts
- Package of underwear
- 6 pairs of socks
- One reversible zippered jacket
- New athletic shoes
- Hygiene kit
History of Operation School Bell
In January of 1968 Assistance League of El Paso chose Operation School Bell as our main philanthropy project. It was decided that we would provide new shoes, undergarments and good used outer clothing. By May we had outgrown the space at 2131 E. Yandell. That first year we clothed 252 children from 21 schools. Mesita School brought two truckloads of lost and found items and members would mend and wash for Operation School Bell and the store. In 1977 we let go of the rental space and El Paso ISD gave us 3 rooms at Bowie High School at 900 S. Cotton St. to use for Operation School Bell. By 1982 EPISD wanted to demolish the old Bowie and Operation School Bell needed a new home. A little house at 2208 Montana was purchased and Operation School Bell and the thrift store had a new home. With a capital campaign in 1995 we were able to purchase the building at 2728 E. Yandell and everything was moved into our present building. Today we budget to clothe 2,500 school children annually in grades 1-5 in every elementary school in all 9 school districts in El Paso county.
Heading back to School With New Clothing
Pictures
