Operation School Bell
Every child deserves to start school with confidence.
Operation School Bell® is our signature program, providing new clothes, shoes, school supplies, and dignity to children in need across the country.
Operation School Bell® began with one observation. A child cannot learn if he is worried about his clothes.
In 1958, an Assistance League volunteer saw a student being sent home from school because his clothes were too worn to wear in class. She acted. She gathered other volunteers, raised money, and started outfitting children directly. That program is now one of the largest direct-service efforts of its kind in the country.
Operation School Bell® chapters partner with local schools and school districts to identify children who need clothes, shoes, and supplies. Children visit their local chapter or a participating retailer and shop with a volunteer. They go home with everything they need to walk back into school ready to focus on learning.
Operation School Bell® Impact
Impact statistics are refreshed annually.
- Hundreds of thousands of children supported each year
- Partner schools and districts in communities across the country
- Dignity preserved: kids shop with a volunteer, in real stores, for clothes that fit them
Stories of Service
Every Operation School Bell® experience represents more than clothing, it represents confidence, belonging, and the opportunity for children to focus on learning. Explore stories from volunteers, families, and communities who have experienced the impact of this signature program.
Donate to Operation School Bell®
Partner With Us as a Retailer or Sponsor
