SPOKANE, WASH. — The Salvation Army and Old Navy opened their doors Saturday to families still recovering from recent fires, offering significant discounts and financial assistance to help children prepare for the school year ahead.
The entire Old Navy store was marked down 50% off, and the Salvation Army distributed $300 gift cards to families in need. The combination of savings and direct support drew hundreds of shoppers throughout the day, with the store packed with parents, children and neighbors reuniting over new school clothes.
The event arrived at a crucial time. Spokane-area students return to school this week, making the shopping opportunity essential for families whose homes and belongings were lost to the fires. For many families, the event meant the difference between affording necessary items and going without.
Camille Wynecoop, who works at Spokane International Academy, witnessed firsthand how the event benefited families in her school community. Several families came specifically to purchase school uniforms for their children.
“A lot of our families that are able to utilize that, it helps them because its one less thing they have to worry about. They don’t have to worry about where they’re going to get a uniform,” Wynecoop said.
The partnership included support from the Innovia Foundation and Wheatland Bank, which helped organize and fund the event. Inside the store, extremely long lines formed as parents and children filled bags with new clothing and made their way to the registers.
Jennifer and Tim O’Halloran, who lost their home off Rifle Club Road, attended the event with their children. They described the experience as a much-needed opportunity for their family to shop without the burden of financial constraints.
“They really could just grab whatever they liked and wanted without..without thinking about it a whole lot, which, yeah, when you’re struggling and you’ve lost everything, a little bit of retail therapy is..is really nice,” the O’Hallorans said.
Beyond the practical benefits, many attendees emphasized the emotional value of reconnecting with their community. The O’Hallorans said they hadn’t seen many of their neighbors since the fires.
“I don’t think we’ve seen a lot of our good friend neighbors since the fire and so, to have this, its just smiles man. It just like gives us hope,” they said.
Captain David Cain, core officer of Salvation Army Spokane, said the event was designed with this emotional component in mind.
“This back to school event, its our attempt to just give a glimmer of hope,” Cain said.
The Salvation Army’s support extends beyond Saturday’s event. A resource truck equipped with masks, cold drinks, sifting supplies and additional assistance will continue circulating through Spokane neighborhoods for the remainder of the day, providing ongoing support to fire-affected residents.
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