The third annual Prom Closet event organized by the Memphis Police Department, which takes the pressure off families during the costly prom season. With the cost of suits and dresses reaching in the hundreds, MPD's initiative is a welcome relief for families like Mardriquez Horton's, who told WREG, "It's about $1,000 out the pocket for one suit. That’s just the suit alone. You still got other things you got to consider, like her dress, if you want to wear jewelry, a bow tie, and everything that comes with it. It’s just a lot."
The event, which was detailed by Action News 5, showcased over 1,000 donated dresses and suits, alongside shoes and accessories. These were displayed at the Hollywood Community Center where lines of eager teens came to completely outfit themselves for their big night. According to Action News 5, teens could pick and choose from a variety "of shiny dresses and various suits and shoes" to find their perfect match for prom.
MPD's Tillman and Crump stations came together to eliminate at least one financial hurdle for families, providing not only prom attire but also toiletry items, and even wigs. "So we are donating dresses, tuxedos, suits, shirts, shoes, accessories, toiletry items, we even have wigs," MPD Neighborhood Watch coordinator, Melanie Dorsey told Action News 5.
The event underscores an ongoing effort by MPD to ease the burden on families gearing up for a tradition as American as the prom itself. And while the department shines as a beacon of support for the community, others are encouraged to play their part, with a nudge to donate gently used prom wear. As outlined in the Yahoo News announcement, it was not just about getting a teenager to show up to prom, but about ensuring that they show up without their family having to endure the financial strain traditionally associated with this right of passage.
