Our speakers at lunch at Sutton’s today were Abby Smith and Ashley Bishop from Starting in Style, a faith-based non-profit organization.

 

 *** Make sure to click on the presentation listed at the bottom of this article ! ***

 

 

Photo:  05-22-2026  Abby Smith and Ashley Bishop

 

The main objective of their organization is a one day event held each summer before the beginning of the new school year. They invite (about 150) young girls from very poor families to attend the event. These girls are recommended by middle schools in Carroll and Heard counties. Each girl is matched up with a dedicated mentor (so well over 150 volunteers are needed to host the event). They have breakfast (and later in the day, lunch), provided by Chick-Fil-A. After this, each girl and her mentor is bussed to stores in Carrollton, like Target and TJ Max, to shop for clothes for school. Each girl is given $250 to spend, which is enough for them to purchase a pair of shoes, one or two outfits, and underwear. For some of these girls, these will be the first new clothes they have ever had. After shopping they are bussed back to a meeting place, and usually end the day with a fashion show modeling their new clothes. Finally, they are each given a tote bag containing a bible, and accessories such as a big bottle of shampoo.