Cinderella’s Closet returns for homecoming season

By Jazmine Knight

Girls in St. Joseph will have the chance to feel like a princess for homecoming at no cost thanks to the return of a free dress shopping program.

Beginning in 2009, Cinderella’s Closet, offered by the Junior League of St. Joseph, provides school-aged girls a chance to shop for a complete homecoming look including a dress, shoes and accessories at no charge.

Cinderella’s Closet director Megan Murray said not only does it allow girls to have the dress-buying experience but it also takes a load off parents when it comes to finances.

“Moms, they still get to enjoy that time with their daughters here to find those dresses for prom and they know that it’s not affecting them financially,” Murray said.

Typically Cinderella’s Closet caters more toward prom and military balls, but with the influx of short dresses from prom season, Murray said offering dresses for homecoming is a great way to create more space for future inventory.

“We ended up with an enormous amount of donations from people in the community,” Murray said.

Murray hopes to serve homecoming season in years to come, but it all depends on the type of donations they receive. After the dress giveaway this Saturday, Murray and the Junior League team will determine future “closet days.” These days allow girls to come in and shop for their ensemble with guidance from a Junior League member. The group’s goal is to give each girl an experience similar to any retail store.

“We will then sit down as a committee and we’ll map out some dates for when the military ball is coming up. I think it’s in November, and then obviously when prom season is back around,” she said.

The closet offers a wide array of dresses and designs that can fit anyone’s sense of style. Murray’s favorite this season has been a silver sequin romper.

“We’ve had a lot of people try it on, but we haven’t yet had anybody take it out the door,” said Murray. “It looks like it would be something really, really good for like an Elton John concert.”

The experience can leave a lasting impact on the girls as well, impacting their self-confidence and self-esteem.

“It’s just important for us because we see them find that perfect dress and come in front of the mirror, and they know they get to take everything they want home, and it doesn’t cost them anything,” Murray said.

Murray said she would like to thank the Junior League for graciously welcoming her to the community by showing her a sisterhood of amazing lifelong friends. She said when she learned about Cinderella’s Closet, it really spoke to her.

“I’ve watched so many girls come in here kind of hopeless,” she said. “They’re down to the wire and they leave with the dress they would have picked out even if it had been in a retail store.”

Cinderella’s Closet will be hosting a dress giveaway event this Saturday, Sept. 7, from 1-3 p.m. located at 3007 N. Belt Highway. So far, there is no limit on dresses, plus adults can come shop as well.

“We have a lot of adult proms that have been starting to happen. Mother of the bride dresses,” she said.