Hundreds of local teens attend the YWCA Bethlehem Pop-Up Prom Shop to find $20 dresses, and donations are needed to support the 19th annual event this March.
New or gently used dresses and women’s pant suits are the most sought-after items. Accessories can also be donated.
“Our annual Pop-Up Prom Shop is one of our favorite events,” Delia Marrero, executive director of YWCA Bethlehem, said in an email. “It truly centers on collaboration and service. There are many moving parts that make the Prom Shop possible, and we are grateful to our volunteers, sponsors, and partners who help bring it to life. This year, we are especially in need of donations. The cost of prom attire shouldn’t determine whether a student can attend prom. This is a milestone moment, and we want to help ease the financial burden for families. Dresses can cost hundreds of dollars, and while we are fortunate to offer a strong selection of new and gently used items, we need help expanding our inventory this year.”
Donations can be dropped off at the collection box found at Venture X Bethlehem at 306 S. New St. in Bethlehem. Dirty or stained items cannot be donated. For questions, contact Aliya Ali at developmentdirector@ywcabethlehem.org.
To provide entirely free attire for a student, donors can buy a $20 voucher at this link.
Volunteers also are needed to pack goodie bags on March 25, set up the venue on March 27 and work the March 28 event. Volunteer sign-ups can be found here.
The Pop-Up Prom Shop will be open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 28 at Wind Creek Bethlehem at 77 Wind Creek Blvd. The event is open to students from across the Lehigh Valley, and they can pre-register here.
Approximately 200 local students attend the Pop-Up Prom Shop each year, Marrero said, adding that “all proceeds are reinvested directly into YWCA Bethlehem’s Youth Empowerment programs, supporting initiatives that promote leadership development, confidence-building, and positive youth engagement.”