(CBS-DETROIT) — According to Feeding America, 74% of low-income families who cannot afford household necessities will skip laundry.
This can lead to low confidence in children, truancy and harm their overall success.
That’s why the Redford Union School District recently launched a family laundry service.
Inside Beech Elementary School, beyond the lockers and classrooms, is a large room known as the “Fresh Den.”
“The Fresh Den is an opportunity for our families to help break down barriers,” said Melissa Nickel, principal of Beech Elementary School.
In addition to laundry services, the program offers food pantries throughout the district.
The program is funded by donations from the community.
“Our goal is to eliminate the inventory that we have here and just continue to rotate as many donations as possible. We would love for you to deliver them to the school,” Nickel said.
Personal hygiene products are also available.
“Students who have clean clothes and access to food and hygiene needs are more likely to come to school than those who don’t. Their bullying rates go down. Culture, climate are built and social relationships are built,” said Jessica Miller, coordinator of social emotional learning for the district said.
A month ago, washers and dryers were added to every school building in the district thanks to money from the American Rescue Plan.
‘They can fall [clothes] we wash and fold them and prep them, and then we bring them back so they’re ready to go in two days,” Nickel said.
About 8% of the district’s population is in foster care or homeless, according to school leaders.
“Every person I’ve ever met in my life needs something at some point, right? Some support or help, and they don’t tell you they need that unless you’re in a relationship with them,” Nikkel said.
The school district and community have worked together to bridge that gap.
“There’s trust so that we can see that need and help meet that need without parents feeling like we’re judging them or telling them they’re not good enough because we believe they’re great,” Nickel said.
Plans are in the making to expand services by adding more washing units in the future.
“So families can come and maybe do more than two loads of laundry at a time, you know, at a certain time,” Miller said.
The school district needs donations. For those who want to help, the district needs the following items:
Clothing
- Socks
- Underwear
- Under clothes
- Gloves
- Winter hats
Food
- Pasta sauce
- Noodles
- All-inclusive macaroni and cheese
- canned vegetables and fruits
- Windows
- Granola bars
- Peanut butter
- Jelly
- Crackers
- Gift cards for groceries
Hygiene products
- Feminine hygiene products
- Hair care products
- Deodorant
- Toothpaste
- Lotion
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Laundry products: Detergent pods are preferred to help eliminate waste.
