WEST LAWN — Southwest Side families can donate and pick up gently used school uniforms this week at a free store hosted at a local nonprofit.

Community Innovation Center, a local nonprofit, opened the free uniform store to help families during the back-to-school season, when expenses for families typically rise at a time the cost of living is also higher, said Eddie Guillen, the nonprofit’s board president.

Neighbors can support the initiative by donating gently used school uniforms and calculators noon-6 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday at the nonprofit’s center at 5938 S. Pulaski Road. Shirts, pants, skirts and other uniform clothing are accepted and should be clean and free of holes, tears and stains.

The idea behind the store is for neighbors to support each other and reuse items children may have outgrown or no longer use, Guillen said.

Neighbors are invited to “leave what you can and take what you need,” Guillen said in a press release.

Families searching for school uniforms can visit the store to browse what is available and pick up free items 10 a.m.-noon Monday and 6-8 p.m. Thursday.

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