Senior Mikey Segal knows how expensive Prom can be, so when he heard about the B226 Dress Closet, he thought it was a great idea for students who can’t afford the attire.

For two years, business and marketing teacher Sophia Ross has run the B226 Dress Closet and said the closet offers free formal apparel for students.

According to Ross, the B226 Dress Closet started because of a need to make school dances more accessible.

“We were giving students tickets who couldn’t afford them, and if they couldn’t afford tickets then they probably can’t afford something to wear,” Ross said. “So, we just started collecting dresses.”

Junior Maddie Estes said she helps run the B226 Dress Closet as part of her community service class and enjoys helping other students.

“It shows another way how St. Louis Park can give. We’re a close community. We have a lot of good opportunities at this school and this is just another one,” Estes said.

According to Estes, the B226 Dress Closet has more than 165 dresses in all lengths, colors and fabrics. She said all the dresses are donations from students who can earn community service hours from donating.

“You can get up to five community service hours per dress you donate, depending on how good it is,” Estes said. ”Each year you can get up to 15 hours of community service from the Dress Closet.”

According to Estes, Ross and her students started the B226 Dress Closet with the intention of helping students who can’t afford dresses for dances. However, Estes said anyone can take the dresses.

“This isn’t just for struggling students. There’s no limitation for who can take them. I’m taking one of the dresses for Hopkins’ Prom,” Estes said.

According to Segal, dances can be too expensive for students, especially for girls.

“I feel like a lot of girls spend a lot of money on dresses. Too much money,” Segal said. ”If you don’t have that money or (don’t) want to spend that money, you can come and get a dress that’s free, and it can be just as good as a dress that costs you $300.”

According to Ross, students in DECA are trying to organize a fashion show to showcase all of the dresses.

“We want to show all these great dresses.  If we don’t have a fashion show, we will put a bunch of rolling racks in the foyer so everyone can see all the dresses.” Ross said.

The B226 Dress Closet takes donations and distributes formalwear before and during school in room B226.