Whenever compassionate people look for ways to help their neighbors in need, their thoughts naturally turn to the essentials of life.

And so it is in the Katahdin region, where the bankruptcy of Great Northern Paper Co. and the layoff of more than 1,100 millworkers have plunged the area into the gravest period of economic uncertainty it has ever known. Individuals and emergency assistance groups from around the state have been quick to respond with donations of money, food, warm clothing, fuel oil and other basics in order to help struggling families through the difficult and anxious months ahead.

In hard times such as these, dressy attire would hardly seem to be an important consideration. Unless, that is, you happen to be a teenager from a cash-strapped mill family in East Millinocket who has been looking forward to Schenck High School’s formal Winter Carnival dance, but has no money to buy a gown or even a decent suit for the special occasion.

With that in mind, the Orono office of KidsPeace New England, a division of the national youth assistance organization begun in 1882, has launched a unique charity effort to make sure the teens of Millinocket, East Millinocket and neighboring towns look good for their proms. They’re collecting dresses, evening gowns, suits, tuxedoes and accessories to outfit high school kids who can’t afford to tap into their already strained family budgets for a temporary touch of elegance.

“Our goal was to do something for the kids in those towns who have to live with financial stresses every day at home,” said Shelly Anderson. “Proms can be so important in the social lives of teens, yet there are many parents right now who have no way of providing nice dresses or suits for their kids.”

Denise Card, the site manager for KidsPeace, came up with the idea for the novel clothing drive when she thought about her own high-school-age children and how disappointed they would be if they were deprived of the fun of dressing up for their proms.

“We didn’t know at first if there was a need for these items, but when we called Stearns, Schenck and Katahdin high schools, they were all overjoyed about the drive,” said Anderson, a Millinocket native who once worked at the mill just as her great-grandfather, grandfather and father did before her. “The schools definitely saw a need.”

Enough so, in fact, that the student council at Schenck has already begun a drive that allows families to swap, sell, lend or donate gowns for the Winter Carnival on March 15.

KidsPeace staffers also have sent out requests for donations to area flower shops, bridal shops, limousine companies and other businesses that cater to high-school formal dances. Anderson said they hope to get gift certificates, too, that teens can redeem at hair salons in the Millinocket area.

“We just want to help, in any way we can, to maintain a sense of normalcy for these kids,” she said. “That’s the most important thing for them right now. With all the hardship that families in that area are facing these days, the enjoyment of a prom or a Winter Carnival can give them a little relief and escape from the stress.”

To arrange a clothing drop-off or pick-up, call KidsPeace at (800) 221-7965 or 827-4150.