SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – Personal care items such as soap, toothpaste and deodorant are hard to come by for some Syracuse students.
As a result, one local non-profit organization is collecting toiletries for students in the Syracuse City School District.
With one in 10 Syracuse City School District students being homeless, Rise Above Poverty has partnered with local businesses such as Collin’s Barber & Beauty Shop to make a difference in the Syracuse community.
Owner Charleston Collins says when students go to school, they should focus on other activities rather than personal hygiene.
“They might not be as privileged as some and their families may not be able to supply those kinds of things,” Collins says. “So what Rise Above Poverty does is a great thing to help those kids be able to obtain some of those things.”
Although the drive wasn’t as successful in the barbershop, Collins believes other businesses should still join the effort.
“With what’s going on here as far as the poverty in Syracuse being so high, hopefully that influences other people, other organizations to get involved somehow,” Collins says.
Miracles Hair Studio & Spa has been partnered with Rise Above Poverty since 2018. In 2022, the salon collected over 4,600 toiletries. Hair stylist Kristin Durkee believes since Miracles is a consistent donation spot, people will continue donating.
“I think each year we’ve been doing this, more and more clients are aware and love to give back to their community, so they are happy to come in and donate,” Durkee says.
While the collections were supposed to end in October, Miracles is still accepting donations until January.
For more information, people can visit the Rise Above Poverty website