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Most kids don’t have to worry about having clothes to wear to school, or a backpack to take to class. But for homeless students, getting these basic items is a daily struggle. In the second part of our series on homeless students in the Ozarks, KSMU’s Adam Murphy looks at how a lack of necessities, like clothing, affects a student’s performance in school, and what local schools are doing to help.
Rows and racks of clothes, shoes, coats, and all sorts of basic items cover the Springfield Public Schools’ clothing bank. Students browse through the selection much like they would in any department store. There are a variety of sizes, styles, and seasonal needs for students of any age. Every Wednesday during the school year, this clothing bank opens to students and their families to stock up on clothing for the year.
Since 1960, this clothing bank has made back-to-school shopping possible for many homeless students who have no other way to access these items. The clothing bank is run by the Springfield Public Schools PTA, and served almost 1,500 students in need last school year. Additionally, the Springfield Kiwanis runs a shoe bank in the same facility, providing homeless students with new shoes. PTA President Dawn Thompson says she has seen many families in need come through the clothing bank. She remembers one set of grandparents who came in for clothes to help their grandson who had nothing.
“Some grandparents came in, and their grandson had been in Tucson, Arizona for three months. He was only 12 years old, running around the streets, and they had no idea. They came in looking for clothes for this 12 year old boy who had absolutely no clothes. I have a son about the same age, same build and everything, and it was just heartbreaking because they were starting all over. So we got him all the clothes and everything he needed because he had absolutely nothing,” said Thompson.
One girl who spent many years as a homeless student in the public schools, is Stormie. She knows how it feels to lack these basic items. She says concentrating on school was hard for her when she had to worry about all of that.
“It was just hard. You get so much inside your head and you’re thinking. Then you go to school and try to focus on what you need to do, but you’re still like worried about everything else around you,” Stormie said.
Becky Morgan is the homeless student liaison for the Springfield Public Schools. She says students can always go to the school nurse or counselor for any needs they may have. Students have been provided everything from school supplies to clothes and medical assistance. She says the district will help meet any needs of students so that they can perform well in school.
“They just need to let us know what the needs are, and if that’s something we can provide and already have available in district, we can do that. If it’s something we don’t have available in district, we’ll try to find it out in the community,” said Morgan.
Vidania is a homeless student who recently graduated from Central High School. She says she had trouble getting basic things like clothes while living in a home affected by drug abuse. She went to the counselor, and the school was able to provide her with what she needed.
“That was a big help because I didn’t have those things. My mom obviously wasn’t going to get them. It was just a big relief to have those things,” said Vidania.
Dot Atkinson with the PTA helps run the clothing bank.
“If we can make a child more comfortable by wearing a new pair of shoes or a coat, or make them feel good about themselves, then that breaks down the barriers to learning, and they are able to really reach their full potential,” said Atkinson.
She says that even one pair of shoes can make a difference in a child’s education.
“What does a new pair of shoes do? But I think in the long term, if that keeps that kid in school and feel good about themselves and are able to learn, that’s it for me,” Atkinson said.
Springfield Public Schools’ clothing bank is located at Bailey Alternative High School. For more information on donating to the clothing and shoe bank, contact Springfield Public schools at 523-0000 or the Springfield school closest to you.
For KSMU News, I’m Adam Murphy.
