In a community where the needs of students can often be overlooked, one organization has been quietly making a difference for decades. The Middletown Area Neediest Youth (MANY) program, founded in the 1950s, has been providing clothing and essential items to students in the Middletown area, ensuring they can attend school with dignity and confidence.

Empowering Students, One Outfit at a Time

Sharing the Burden of Poverty

The MANY program's origins can be traced back to a simple, yet poignant story shared by its board president, Schaefer. She recounted learning about two sisters who shared a single pair of shoes, a testament to the harsh realities faced by some local students. This anecdote underscores the program's mission to address the often-overlooked needs of children living in poverty.

Schaefer, who has served as the board president for over three decades, has witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of the MANY program. She explains that the program's reach extends beyond Middletown, serving students from surrounding districts, including Marshall, Edgewood, Monroe, Middletown Christian, John XXIII Elementary, Fenwick, Summit Academy, Madison, and Franklin, as well as those attending Butler Tech.

The program's success is evident in the numbers. This year alone, MANY purchased clothing items for 777 students, exhausting a significant portion of its $75,000 budget. Schaefer notes that the need continues to grow, with more students living in single-parent households or with grandparents, aunts, or uncles, a reflection of the changing demographics in the community.

Restoring Dignity and Self-Esteem

The MANY program's approach is designed to preserve the dignity and self-esteem of the students it serves. When a student is selected to receive assistance, their parent, guardian, or teacher is given a $100 voucher to purchase clothes at Kohl's. The department store then submits the vouchers to MANY volunteers, who reimburse the store.

Debbie Hazelbaker, the secretary of MANY, emphasizes the importance of students wearing appropriate clothes, as it can significantly impact their self-image and confidence. She shares that some students in the program have never owned new clothes, and the experience of shopping at Kohl's can be a transformative one, as they discover where their department is located and explore the aisles with a newfound sense of excitement.

The MANY program's commitment to preserving anonymity is also noteworthy. Each school is allotted a certain number of vouchers, and the student's name is not attached to any of the documents, ensuring that the process remains discreet and dignified.

A Community-Driven Effort

The MANY program's success is a testament to the generosity and dedication of its volunteers and supporters. Schaefer explains that the organization operates with no overhead, as the volunteers themselves purchase the paper, envelopes, and postage for the solicitation letters sent to potential donors.

The program is funded entirely through private donations and local foundations, with additional fundraising efforts, such as raffling off gift baskets at high school basketball games. Schaefer emphasizes the importance of community involvement, as the program relies on bus drivers, teachers, and school counselors to identify students in need of assistance.

The MANY program's impact extends beyond the tangible benefits of providing clothing. Hazelbaker notes that the program helps students develop a "good self-image," a crucial factor in their overall well-being and academic success. By ensuring that students can attend school with dignity, the MANY program is not only meeting their immediate needs but also investing in their long-term futures.

As the MANY program continues to grow and adapt to the changing needs of the community, its mission remains steadfast: to empower students, restore dignity, and foster a sense of belonging. Through the generosity of its supporters and the tireless efforts of its volunteers, this unsung hero of the Middletown area is making a lasting difference in the lives of countless young people.