ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Anyone who has attended a high school prom can tell you that the dance can get expensive. Between tuxes, dresses, hair, makeup, tickets, dinner and more, showing out for high school’s big night can be overwhelming. The Prom Dress Exchange is here to help.

2026 marks the 5th year for The Prom Dress Exchange, a free-of-charge event for students in need of men’s and women’s formal wear. “Prom” may be in the name, but the nonprofit connects its participants with attire for everything from job interviews to weddings. This year, the event will be held across three days at Groce United Methodist Church, 954 Tunnel Road:

  • 2-6 p.m., Friday, March 6
  • 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, March 7
  • Noon to 4 p.m., Sunday, March 8
(Courtesy: The Prom Dress Exchange)

Marsha van Rijssen founded The Prom Dress Exchange after discovering a prom dress on sale for a dollar at a thrift store.

“It needed cleaning and repair, and I thought, oh, it’s just gonna end up in a landfill, because who’s gonna pay to dry clean it and not know if it’s gonna be clean, and that’s expensive,” van Rijssen said. “I was able to wash it myself and repair it, and here was this beautiful gown, ready to make memories again and be worn again.”

For van Rijssen, the third child of a single mom, going to prom was a financial burden on her family. The Prom Dress Exchange gave her an eco-friendly way to alleviate that stress for families now.

(Courtesy: Katie Richard / Katie Richard Photography) Marsha van Rijssen, founder of The Prom Dress Exchange.

“Initially, it was about environmental concerns and financial barriers, but really, after the first event and the first person who came got in that perfect dress, I was like, oh, this is about so much more,” van Rijssen said. “It is really about making your personal statement. I mean, that’s how we set ourselves apart from the rest, is through our image and that inner spirit coming out through our clothing.”

When students arrive at The Prom Dress Exchange, they should be able to find every piece of clothing they need for their formal event.

“It’s one stop shopping,” van Rijssen said. “Dress, suits, shoes, jewelry, handbags. I mean, I’ve got bras. 
So, it is literally a one stop. You should, in a perfect world, leave with everything you need for that special occasion.”

(Courtesy: Katie Richard / Katie Richard Photography) The Prom Dress Exchange is “one stop shopping” for everything from shoes to earrings.

Clothing sizes are as inclusive as possible, ranging from 00 to 4XL. Attendees will also have the opportunity to work one-on-one with a volunteer to make any alterations they might require.

“From the very first event, five years ago, I made sure we did free alterations, because something that fits you beautifully is really an amazing feeling,” van Rijssen said. “It really became about that positive body love.”

The Prom Dress Exchange is always looking for more volunteers. Opportunities to work with the nonprofit can be found here.

“The volunteer experience, that side of it, is just as amazing as it is to be an attendee to the event,” van Rijssen said. “I mean, this is the feel good event of the year. The people who started with me five years ago are still with me now, and they bring their friends, and it just is a really very beautiful way to help others.”

For more information about The Prom Dress Exchange, visit www.chancesforchildrencarolinas.com/promdress.

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