It's time for a new school year and one group of local parents is hosting a free event to help with the increasing prices of back-to-school shopping.
Class is back in session at many schools across the Central Coast. To get ready for the new year, parents are set to spend more than $863 per person, according to the National Retail Federation. 28% of that, around $250, will be clothes.
Ginger Hasler is one of the parents who volunteers and participates in the clothing swap. She said her kids get to pick out their first day of school clothes at the swap.
"I just can't afford to spend that much money on back to school clothes, let alone the supplies and stuff," Hasler said.
That's one of the reasons why a handful of local parents created the Central Coast Kids and Family Swaps group, where parents can exchange clothes with each other for free.
Bree-Ann Ranlett said she has been with the group since it started in 2023.
"We just saw a need," Ranlett said. "We were always giving hand-me-downs and that's always been a part of mom culture. We get together and we organize [the swaps]."
Since the group started in 2023, Ranlett said she's seen the events go from a few tarps with clothes laid out to tables full of different options to take home.
The group does three swaps each year. Back in March was their largest swap to date, with over 80 families participating. They expect their upcoming back-to-school swap to be just as big.
Brenda Gonzalez is one of the group's bilingual volunteers. She said inclusion is paramount with these swaps.
"What we're trying to do is welcome more people who not only speak English, but we have a few Spanish-speaking volunteers, so anyone who might have even Mixteco families are more than welcome," Gonzalez said.
This upcoming event will include more than just children's clothes. Parents can bring and pick things up for themselves, which is something Hasler said as a mom, she doesn't get to do often.
"That's pretty nice because I don't really shop for myself anymore," Hasler said. "I only shop for my kids if I have to so it's kind of nice that I can pick something for myself and my kids."
Ranlett said the swap saves money for parents but also generates a sense of community.
"It's just this natural order of like we share, we give, we fill needs," she said. "There's no reason for anyone not to have the basic needs in today's world. We all can share and give."
The clothing swap is happening Sunday, August 16 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Oceano Park.
