Going back to school does not come without its hardships meeting new teachers, making new friends, and buying the right school supplies. In order to soften the blow and help start the school year off right, the Tanger Outlet in Park City, in cooperation with the Christian Center of Park City (CCPC), is hosting “Shop with a Child” Friday from 7 to 10:30 a.m.

The event is part of the Back to School Basics program founded by Trish Alderman that has been running in collaboration with the CCPC since 2011. Deserving students from the Park City Utah School District are selected to participate and granted an allowance with which to shop for school clothes and supplies.

Candice Wilson, General Manager of the Tanger Outlets, says there will be special offers for the children shopping Friday morning.

“In order for the stores to participate, they need to offer certain discounts that will allow the children to get the most for the money they are given,” said Wilson.

According to Rob Harter, Director of the CCPC, this year’s event is hosting more children than in the past two years, increasing the number to 460 students from about 175 in the first year.

The generous $20,000 donation from Zions Bank along with $6,000 from Mountain Life Church, $5,000 from the Brink Foundation, and countless individual donations have made it possible to help so many children this year, said Harter.

However, he added that the students selected this year are still in need of volunteer shopping chaperones, and incentive has been given to those who offer to help.

“If you are a volunteer, you get the same discount,” said Harter. “If you help take some kids shopping, until about noon you can turn around and do some shopping yourself.”

There are also several ways to donate should you choose to do so instead of volunteering.

A $100 donation sponsors a child for back to school basics, a $50 donation purchases a student a backpack and school supplies, or you can individually donate school supplies or a backpack at the CCPC.

“We are very grateful for the time and planning that has gone into making this program a success,” said Wilson. “I love watching the community come together at our center to help local children in need during this exciting time of year.”

For more information on how to volunteer or donate, visit www.ccofpc.org/b2s-basics.html .