To help students find affordable prom and graduation dresses, The Salvation Army in Guelph, Ont., hosted its annual “Princess Project” event this spring to give students the chance to buy formal dresses, shoes and accessories at a low price.

Grade 12 student Nora Shifflett was one of 250 people who attended the event. She heard about it from her sister who found her prom dress in 2019 through the project. “I think it’s a great opportunity for students who don’t have much in their pocket. It is good to know that there is a place where you can get a dress that’s within your price range. I didn’t have to worry about the price tag,” she says.

The dresses sold through the Princess Project were priced at a flat rate of $20, no matter the design. Shoes and other accessories were priced at $5. Shifflett and two of her friends were able to find the perfect prom dresses and shoes for a total of $25 each.

This year marked the first time since before the pandemic that The Salvation Army in Guelph hosted the Princess Project. The event was a success thanks to the hard work of the staff and volunteers led by Carla Holmes, administrative co-ordinator.

“We sold more than 150 dresses and raised over $3,200, which will support the Princess Project in the future and other community and family services programs. We had lots of community support through dress donations, prize donations and people talking up the event,” Holmes says.

Due to the popularity of the Princess Project, Holmes says they plan to expand next year’s event by including menswear for the first time.

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