With Clear Creek ISD classes resuming Wednesday, Aug. 12, a Houston-based foundation has committed another $10,000 to make sure local students start the year in clothes that fit.
The George and Mary Josephine Hamman Foundation awarded the grant to the Bay Area Service League's Ready for School program, which provides school-appropriate clothing, accessories, and personal hygiene kits to students in temporary financial need. BASL announced the gift Sunday, Aug. 2, on its website. CCISD, which serves League City families, is among the districts whose students benefit from the program.
The donation extends a partnership that began in 2021. Since then, the Hamman Foundation has directed $40,000 to BASL's student clothing initiatives.
How Ready for School works
Campus counselors and social workers identify students who need help. Elementary students, pre-K through fifth grade, receive a $150 allocation to shop at designated JCPenney or Target locations. Since 2001, the program has clothed more than 36,000 students across eight school districts and one charter school, including Clear Creek, Dickinson, Friendswood, Galveston, La Porte, Santa Fe, Deer Park, and Texas City ISDs, plus The Mosbacher Odyssey Academy in Texas City.
In the fiscal year ending May 31, 2025, Ready for School served 2,445 students.
An elementary school counselor described the program's effect in a testimonial on BASL's website: "We had a new student at our school who had clothing that was stained and worn out. She was so embarrassed to wear her clothing at school. We were able to supply her with a Ready for School form, allowing her to obtain new clothing. She returned to school feeling very proud and special."
A foundation with deep Houston roots
The Hamman Foundation, formed in 1954, has awarded $132.2 million in grants and scholarships across Texas. It also funds 70 undergraduate scholarships of $25,000 each to Houston-area high school seniors annually. Galveston County falls within its service area.
The Hamman grant is one of several corporate and foundation gifts BASL has secured this year. In February, LyondellBasell donated $10,000 split between Ready for School and the league's Snack Attack Packs program.
All-volunteer operation
Bay Area Service League, formerly known as the Assistance League of the Bay Area, adopted its current name in June 2025. The all-volunteer nonprofit has roughly 210 members who log more than 33,000 hours annually. Its resale shop at 100 E. NASA Parkway, Suite 80, in Webster helps fund the clothing program alongside grants and an annual fundraiser.
School psychologists and social workers have found that appropriate clothing improves attendance, classroom performance, and self-esteem, according to BASL's program materials.
What's next
CCISD's first day of classes is Wednesday, Aug. 12. Residents who want to support BASL can shop or donate at the Webster resale store.
Upcoming community calendar:
- Through Friday, Aug. 7: Hampton Inn collecting snack donations for Clear Creek and Dickinson ISD students.
- Saturday, Aug. 8: SH-146 ramp to I-45 south closes permanently.
