SEATTLE — Moms Shannon Hull and Jodie Anderson found that their recent discussions about first Communion kept circling back to the cost. The traditional white dress or handsome suit, veil, gloves, stockings, dress shoes, tie — it adds up.

“First Communion is a big day for Catholic families. It’s an exciting day of celebration,” said Hull, a member of Seattle’s St. Bridget Parish, whose daughter Victoria will be making her first Communion in May. “It’s also a big expense for one-time wear.”

Hull and Anderson, a member of Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Seattle, wondered how to make the items more accessible to families, especially those on tight budgets. Out of their discussion came the concept of the First Communion Closet. Now Hull is on a mission to ensure children can exude confidence and feel special at their first Communion without it being a financial stress for their families.

“It just sparked something in me,” Hull said. “It’s such an important milestone as a Catholic. Every child deserves a chance to shine.”

Although many parishes collect and share gently used first holy Communion wear, Hull has a bigger vision. She hopes to expand her local effort into an archdiocese-wide program sort of like Rent the Runway, a clothing rental program, “but a (free) Catholic version,” Hull said. She envisions a partnership of parishes working together and noted that parishes in Bellevue have already expressed an interest in participating. 

“Our vision is absolutely of a Catholic community working together to serve the population at large,” Hull said.

Shannon Hull is on a mission to make sure children can have special clothes for their first Communion without causing financial stress for their families. She and friend Jodie Anderson have launched the First Communion Closet, which is loaning Communion clothes free of charge. (Courtesy Shannon Hull)

She and Anderson started collecting clothes in earnest a couple of months ago. So far, the moms have gathered about a dozen dresses, a handful of sport coats and a few accessories. One of the dresses came in a dry-cleaning bag with a tag from 2004, Hull said, proving first Communion fashion doesn’t go out of style.

To build the inventory of new and gently used attire, Hull has been scouring secondhand stores, scouting online sites and asking for help from fellow parishioners and parents at Assumption-St. Bridget School, where her children attend.

Hull is also inviting Catholics across the Archdiocese to look for first Communion dresses and suits that may be “hanging in a closet begging for a second life.”

The First Communion Closet, housed at St. Bridget, is open by appointment. But Hull said her goal is finding an easily accessible central location where clothing can be distributed “outside our ZIP code.” On March 26, she took the closet on the road to St. George Parish in southeast Seattle.

“Four kids found gorgeous outfits, and we are inspired to keep growing and continue making it bigger and better,” Hull said.

Ideally, parents will “pay it forward and return the clothing for use again the following year,
 she added. Monetary donations to the program would cover things like the cost of dry cleaning the clothes after each wearing.

“We are called to serve,” Hull said. “This is one simple way we can step up. Even a small difference in a few kids’ lives is worth it.”

To donate or learn more, email Hull at [email protected].