Eager elementary school students with loaded trash bags slung over their shoulders are a common sight at the Assistance League of Stockton's thrift store on Harding Way. Every summer, hundreds of needy students come through the doors to receive new clothes and a boost of confidence through Operation School Bell.

"What we do is provide uniform clothing to needy children that are recommended to us by school counselors," said Doris Carlson, co-chairwoman of the outreach project.

Teachers, principals and guidance counselors in Stockton and Lincoln unified school districts as well as those at north Stockton schools in Lodi Unified screen students for the program. Organizers also work closely with the migrant education program in San Joaquin County.

Operation School Bell serves kindergartners through fourth-graders and provides clothing in all sizes. In special instances, clothing is made available for older students as well.

Each child receives one pair of shorts, one pair of long pants, two white polo shirts, a pack of underwear, four pairs of socks, a sweat shirt, a rain jacket, a personal grooming kit, a new book of his or her choice and a gift certificate for Payless Shoe Source.

Carlson explained the value of the program: "It's to raise the self-esteem of the child. They do better in school, because they look like everyone else."

Last year, Assistance League of Stockton volunteers clothed 1,484 children at $65 per child. Since the program's inception in 1989, volunteers have clothed 15,630 students at a cost of $860,000.

The Assistance League of Stockton is a subset of the National Assistance League, which was founded in Southern California in 1919 to provide food and clothing for families impacted by World War I.

There are 50 active members of the Assistance League of Stockton, many of whom are retired schoolteachers.

"Our volunteers really like to give individual attention to the children," Carlson said.

Each volunteer works three half-days per month at the thrift store at Harding Way and Sierra Nevada Street. The store is open from noon to 4 p.m. Mondays and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. Proceeds fund Operation School Bell and other philanthropic projects.

"It's really a very rewarding program," Carlson said.