Barton Community College’s Community Service Organization will put on a “Career Closet Drive” as part of the ninth annual Great Bend Job Fest to help attendees of the event appear as professional as possible while they network. The drive will be from March 29 through April 15. The clothes will be available for the attendees at the Job Fest, which is on April 21. Anyone who utilizes the clothes will be able to keep them for future use.
The group is looking for gently used professional attire for males and females including suits, dresses, shirts, shoes, belts, ties, scarves and other accessories, along with hangers.  Donations can be dropped off at the Central Kansas Educational Opportunity Center at 1025 Main St. in Great Bend. It is open from 8 a.m. to noon and 1-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Job Fest is a regional job fair that has been held in Great Bend for nine years. This year the event will be held from 3-6 p.m. Thursday, April 21 at the Events Center, 3111 10th St. The fair is for businesses and employees in Central Kansas and is collaboratively presented by representatives from many organizations within the region.
Cochair of the Job Fest and Barton’s Director of Testing, Advisement and Career Services Judy Jacobs said the event has a lot to offer attendees.
“Job seekers can visit with employers face-to-face, learn valuable interviewing skills, apply for jobs onsite and connect with training providers in the area,” she said. “Employers can network with the 200-300 jobseekers who attend the event, take advantage of lower booth space fees than most job fairs and network with employment agencies after the event.”
Job Fest is sponsored by Barton Community College, the City of Great Bend, KansasWorks, the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development, Great Bend Tribune, CUNA Mutual, Pawnee County and K-State Global campus.