PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Thanks to a partnership between the Chris Long Foundation and Cradles to Crayons, kids in some Philadelphia area schools will have access to essential items like hygiene products and clothes.
Cradles to Crayons Executive Director Mikel Smith says two in five families can’t afford to pay for the basics with their weekly wage.
“And so if you're one of those families, clothing insecurity is going to affect both you and, most importantly, your kid, because your kid is growing out of things,” Smith said.
Smith says that’s why EdZone Lockers, launched Wednesday at James Logan Elementary School, are so important, as they provide essential support for families. She says the process is simple and discrete: students can go to a school counselor, who will direct them to the necessities.
Smith says students can access toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, and coats, among other things.
Smith says this launch was nearly three years in the making.
“It took a while for us to formulate what would work with our model, what works with Chris Long Foundation’s model.”
She says Long’s foundation aims to give back to the cities he played football in — six closets are already in his hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina. The goal is to have lockers in four Philadelphia schools by the end of next year.