Homecoming dresses being sold for $10

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MIDDLETOWN — At a time when census data points to widening income gaps across the state, two organizations seek to make high school homecoming season more affordable.

The third annual Cinderella’s Closet is an event boasting $10 homecoming dresses — gently used — and $5 accessories for students and parents with limited disposable income. It will be hosted by Middletown High School’s Lady Middies of Excellence and Middletown’s Young Phenomenal Women.

This Saturday, parents and/or their daughters can drop by Faith United Church between noon and 4 p.m. to browse the selection.

Lady Middies of Excellence adviser Susan Willoughby-Crawford helped coordinate the event. So far, she said, the group boasts “dozens and dozens” of dresses, and estimated between 70 and 80 have been donated over the course of the past year.

“When you look at the Middletown community, we’ve been hit so hard,” she said, referring to the 2006 AK Steel lockout and other business’ hours being cut across the board.

“When parents look at something extra their kids may want to do, like dress shopping, they’ll have to rearrange their whole budget,” she said.

Middletown freshman Jael Rivizzino plans to take advantage of the opportunity.

“I love to shop,” she said. “I want to shop there because the dresses are really inexpensive and this is a good opportunity to get something to wear to homecoming.”

For the first year, the event has moved from a weekday to a Saturday, and from school grounds to an outside location.

Last year between 12 and 18 students purchased dresses through Cinderella’s Closet. This year the event is no longer exclusive to Middletown, and is open to all area schools.

Junior Alonna Williams helped with the event last year, and thinks the wider nets will produce more customers.

“It’s more of a community event this year,” Williams said. “Hopefully we’ll have around 100 girls.”

Proceeds are donated to charity. Last year money benefitted the Citizens Against Domestic Violence and the Community Pregnancy Center in Middletown, Willoughby-Crawford said.

“We’ll take any last-minute shoppers,” she said. “Cinderella, she had a last-minute dress.”

Cinderella’s Closet will make a return for prom season in the spring.