Assistance League of Bakersfield

Assistance League® of Bakersfield is an all-volunteer, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to serving the community and transforming lives through our philanthropic programs. Since 1956, our signature program Operation School Bell has provided new clothing to over 360,000 disadvantaged students throughout Kern County. Operation School Bell and all of our other charitable programs are supported through monies raised at our Bargain Box Thrift Store, our Chez Noel Holiday Home Tour, our Clothe-A-Child direct mail campaign, community grants, and individual donors. We thank you for your support and welcome you to join our incredible team of volunteers dedicated to making a difference in Bakersfield and throughout Kern County! 

Who We Are

Assistance League® of Bakersfield, an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization, serves the community through ongoing philanthropic programs.

In 1956, our founder, Ruth Ann Montgomery organized a group of Bakersfield women to provide school clothing to children in need. They worked in a garage, washing, ironing and mending used clothing which was given to children. They named this philanthropy "Operation School Bell®".
In 1958 their group was chartered as the 23rd Chapter of National Assistance League and became "Assistance League® of Bakersfield".

Assistance League of Bakersfield just celebrated the 60th Anniversary of Operation School Bell. Each year over 3,500 children, referred by their school, are provided new school clothing.

Assistance League of Bakersfield is nonprofit, nonpolitical, nonsectarian, and an IRS 501(c)(3) charitable organization with over 250 members. The members of the organization volunteer over 30,000 hours and return $300,000 each year to serve the children and adults of Kern County.