Laurel Park Elementary Receives $2,500 TangerKids Grant to Expand Thrift Shop

Laurel Park Elementary School in Brentwood has been awarded a $2,500 TangerKids Grant to bolster a school-run Thrift Shop that supplies clothing, shoes and hygiene items to students and families facing financial strain. School officials say the award will expand the shop’s capacity as demand for basic necessities grows.

The grant application was secured by the school social worker, identified in reports as Jessica Velasquez or Jesica Velasquez. With support cited from Tanger Outlets at Deer Park, the funds will be used to increase inventory and outreach so more families can access essential items discreetly through the school program.

The Thrift Shop operates as an on-campus safety net for students, providing items that remove barriers to classroom participation. “The Thrift Shop serves as a quiet but critical support system for families, helping ensure students have what they need to feel comfortable and confident in school,” school officials said. Officials added the grant will allow the school to “continue and broaden its mission of providing practical assistance while reinforcing a sense of dignity and care for families facing financial challenges.”

The Laurel Park award is part of a broader TangerKids effort that channels community retail resources into schools. Tanger’s TangerKids 2025 Grants program donated more than $200,000 to fund 176 grants across 37 Tanger shopping centers, a corporate initiative organizers say targets local, on-the-ground needs in education and student support. Michele Doucette, Tanger Rehoboth Beach Marketing Director, put the program’s aim plainly: “Tanger Rehoboth Beach remains committed to helping students succeed across our community,” she said. “By listening closely to local schools and educators, we’re able to support projects that respond to real, on-the-ground needs. TangerKids Grants help create inclusive, engaging learning environments and give students the resources they need to thrive, both in the classroom and beyond.”

For Brentwood families, the expansion means more consistent access to basics such as footwear and hygiene supplies that are often out of reach during tight months. Maintaining dignity in distribution is a stated priority for school staff; by keeping the program on campus, Laurel Park aims to reduce stigma while meeting immediate needs that can otherwise affect attendance and participation.

Next steps for the school include organizing additional donations and integrating the grant dollars into the Thrift Shop’s inventory cycle so the program can meet rising demand. The Brentwood School District provided a photo of the Thrift Shop for release; school officials have indicated they will share further details on how the funds will be allocated as the expansion progresses.