prom closet St. Andrew United Methodist Church will hold its eighth annual Prom Closet March 1-5 at the church.[/caption]

St. Andrew United Methodist Church is currently accepting donations for its eighth annual Prom Closet. Dresses, shoes and other accessories can be taken to Room 133 at the church at 5801 W. Plano Parkway, now through Jan. 31. However, the church will continue to accept donations after Jan. 31 for those unable to deliver donations this weekend.

The prom closet is an outreach program organized by St. Andrew United Methodist Women and allows girls from Plano and beyond to shop for prom dresses, jewelry, handbags, shoes and wraps for free, said Devra Helffrich, the organizer for the prom closet. Shopping days at the church are scheduled for 4-8 p.m. March 1-3 and from 9 a.m.-noon on Saturday, March 5. All students must be physically present in order to shop.

Last year, 840 girls received dresses and accessories donated by community members, local groups, corporations and businesses. A new feature added this year is an opportunity for donors to purchase requested items and ship items to the church through Amazon. To review items available for purchase, click here.

"The impact the dress makes on the girl and her family is simply immeasurable," Helffrich said in a news release. "We continue to be grateful each year for the media coverage, which is so critical in getting the word out. Last year we were excited to have visitors from Durant, Oklahoma, who were so impressed they went back to their church, presented the idea and are hosting a prom closet this year."