The cost-of-living crisis was the spark that led Gary Doherty and Noeleen Killen to set up a 'uniform swap shop', which will take place in Castlefinn in Co Donegal tomorrow.
People are invited to come along and take whatever school uniform items they need - free of charge.
Ms Killen, who is the president of the local branch of St Vincent de Paul, said this time of year is always difficult for families.
She said the idea of a swap shop generated a huge response from the local community.
For the past few weeks, people have been donating uniforms that are in good condition, but which they no longer need because their children have grown out of them or moved school for example.
Gary Doherty, a local Sinn Féin councillor, said everyone is experiencing the high electricity and high heating bills.
He added that on top of that at this time of year comes the cost of going back to school, which puts parents under extreme pressure, so the swap shop will help to alleviate that.
Cllr Doherty said they operated an open-door policy so that donations were not limited to specific local schools.
He said they have received a huge amount of items for more than 20 schools in the wider area, including some items that were never worn.
Today volunteers were sorting all the clothing by school and size in St Mary's Hall, where the swap shop will take place tomorrow between midday and 3pm.
Rails and hangers were donated by the local Nena Models Factory shop, in what Noeleen Killen said was a genuine community effort with everyone helping each other through the swap shop.
It is something that will benefit many families not just in Castlefinn, but in the wider east Donegal area, she said.
Jenna McMonigle was one of the volunteers helping today, but she has also donated to the swap shop and hopes to be able to pick up items she will need at the event tomorrow.
With two young children, she said she is just starting out on the uniform journey, but knows already it is extremely expensive and that she will be very grateful for this service in the future. "It's a no-brainer," she said.
As a parent and school principal, Sharon Murray sees the challenges of back-to-school costs from both sides.
From a financial point of view, she believes the swap shop is a great idea and from a sustainability angle it is the way to go.
A school jumper can cost €50, she said, and you often need a second one, so the swap shop will be a real help.
Looking around at the amount of clothes being sorted in the hall, Ms Murray said these were all in people's homes and no longer needed. Now they will get a second life and benefit other people.
"We really need to think how we recycle clothes said and what is happening here is an amazing movement," she said.
Given the response they have had in Castlefinn, Noeleen Killen said she cannot see why the idea would not work in other communities as well.
