$600 for a piece of clothing you will wear one time — the shopping for prom dresses can get expensive quite quickly, as many students can attest. Acknowledging that problem, Morris Hills’ Family, Career, Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) club, under adviser Miss Lembo, runs a zero-dollar event called Prom Shop each January, open to the general public. Hundreds of donated dresses are set up in the downstairs Science Wing for anyone, regardless of financial background or financial need, to explore.

“Anything you want or need to put an outfit together, we have it,” describes Miss Lembo. The Prom Shop organizes and displays both long and short dresses from the 00 size to the plus sizes, so dress hopefuls can thoroughly search for whatever dress fits for them. There are also rooms for shoes, jewelry, bags and little purses to complement the dresses.

In recent years, hundreds of individuals from all over have stopped by the Prom Shop — which this year took place on Jan. 27. There is “more than enough [dresses] to go around,” in Miss Lembo’s perspective.

Since beginning in 2010, the Prom Shop has evolved to attempt to destigmatize getting a free dress. The timing of the Prom Shop is strategic, as the event is before most future prom-goers start looking for and planning to buy a new dress. “Every year you see how happy people are” to attend the Prom Shop, remarks Miss Lembo.

The Prom Shop prides itself on being a zero dollar, volunteer and donation-run event. Future iterations of the project, under Miss Lembo’s direction, seek to offer coupons to local businesses that do hair and nails for women, or add donations from local seamstresses.

“The program only runs because of the generosity of others,” said Miss Lembo. The initiative collects dresses all year round, so make sure to check your closets!