Salvation Army seeks donations for "Steppin' Back to School" - WXOW News 19 La Crosse, WI – News, Weather and Sports |

LA CROSSE, Wisconsin (WXOW) - The Salvation Army is seeking donations for its "Steppin' Back to School" drive.

Organizers say they still need about 130 sponsors.

This is the third year of the program, which provides back to school clothes for children in low income families.

Families register at the Salvation Army, and community members can sponsor a child.

Almost 500 families signed up this year, an increase from last year.

Salvation Army Development Director Julie Nelson says something as simple as a new outfit can improve a child's life.

"So this way, each kid can go back to school looking good, feeling very confident, not having to worry that they're going to be teased by their peers because they have hand-me-down clothes," Nelson said. "It's a really important thing for these kids to just have that sense of self-worth and go back to school feeling confident."

Nelson says sponsors need to provide a minimum of one outfit--a shirt, pants and a pair of shoes. 

"For each kid to have one new outfit that they can look good in--feel good in, have for picture day--that's so important for the families and kids," Nelson said.

If you'd like to sponsor a child, you can stop in at the Salvation Army building or sign up on their website.