Lisa Stai went to the annual Back to School Clothes Swap a couple of years ago to find new clothes for her daughter Hannah, and has been helping out as a volunteer ever since.

“It helps so many people who don’t have the income to go out and buy new clothing,” she said of the event that’s now in its ninth year.

In the days leading up to the the clothes swap, which is scheduled for Aug. 19, with clothing drop-off days set for Aug. 17-18, Stai encourages parents to go through their kids’ closets and take out anything that has been outgrown in the past year: pants, shirts, shoes and backpacks. Clothing in sizes 5-16 are accepted. Parents should clean clothing items so they are ready to wear. Then, bring them by on one of the drop-off days to exchange them for coupons to get new clothes.

Twenty donations would mean 20 coupons, said Stai.

And if you don’t have any clothes to donate, or want to shop a bit more, all items are available for $1 each. All funds go to the school.

Stai plans to be there on drop-off day with her daughter Hannah, who is now a senior at Chimacum High School and is helping out with her mom. Stai’s daughter Katherine, 33, also plans to assist.

The three are to help sort the clothes and get them ready for the swap on Aug. 19.

“We get a pretty good response,” said Stai, and parents can find “just about everything” for all their kids. “You can find some pretty good things,” she said.

Any clothes left over at the end of the day are donated to Goodwill, she said.

“We’ve done really well, and a lot of people can’t wait,” said organizer Elma Beary of the Chimacum PTSA (parent-teacher-student association). “It’s a great way of recycling clothes.”

There are also a lot of items in the school’s lost-and-found at the end of the year that are available.

Anyone who would like to volunteer or donate clothes during hours other than those listed can call Beary at 360-301-6616 for information or email her at elmabeary@gmail.com.