Do you remember the feeling of walking into class on the first day of school or after Christmas break with a new outfit?
There is just something about looking good that boosts a kid’s confidence. Or, as the kids these days say, “New fit? Straight drip, no cap.”
Since 2014, Locker #505 has been working hard to give every student in the Albuquerque Metro that new fit feeling. When kids aren’t worried about their clothes, they can focus on learning and succeeding in their classes.
Each student who visits Locker #505 receives five outfits, five pairs of new underwear, seven pairs of new socks, a coat/jacket, and a new pair of tennis shoes. Going above and beyond the clothing needs, students also receive a toy, a stuffed animal, books to read, hygiene items, and school supplies.
I visited Locker #505 to learn more about how ABQ Mom can support this amazing organization. I was blown away by the special attention every student receives.
Operations manager Deanna Trujillo gave me a tour of the clothing bank, describing the choices students have available to them each time they visit. We passed students browsing the racks with their own personal shoppers who help them pick clothes that make them look and feel good.
The positive energy was tangible. A student sat grinning from ear to ear as they pulled on a new pair of Converse shoes, thrilled that they fit perfectly. Another happily followed their personal shopper to peruse the leggings section to match a dress they had just picked out.
It truly felt like a retail experience, but without the back-and-forth negotiations over your kids’ selections when they choose clothes that don’t fit into your budget (ammiright, moms?). Students are free to choose their favorites off of the rack. And you could feel how excited they were to have so many choices.
The excitement follows students back to school and back to their homes.
Director Kim Kerschen receives feedback from teachers and parents that shows the enormous impact of Locker #505 on students’ confidence. “This was better than Christmas!” a teacher of a Locker #505 student told Kerschen. “That was a different student you sent back to my class. They are so engaged now.”
And, from a parent, “That helped our family tremendously. What a different child my son is. We can’t thank you enough for everything you have done for our family!”
Dedicated staff and volunteers keep Locker #505 running, spending thousands of hours sorting, inspecting, organizing, and stocking. A veritable mountain of clothing greeted me at the door at the beginning of my tour. Three sorters methodically opened bags of donations and organized them into neat piles, which would then be re-inspected by staff before being placed on the store’s racks and shelves.
About 5,000 students visited Locker #505 in 2024, and Director Kerschen suspects that the final number for 2025 will be even larger.
Students can visit the clothing bank up to three times per year, in the fall, winter, and spring. This ensures students have the right clothing for the season and as they grow throughout the year.
In order to serve this many students, Locker #505 relies on creative fundraising events and donations from the community. Please join ABQ Mom in supporting Locker #505 by attending events, donating, and volunteering with this incredible nonprofit. Together, we can provide every student in our communities with the comfort and confidence they deserve.
Here is how you can get involved:
Click here for a list of current needs for Locker #505 and a list of donation locations. If you’d like to purchase new items for Locker #505, visit their Amazon Wishlist here.
If you can’t donate, but you’d love to help, here is the information on volunteering.
Visit Locker #505’s website and scroll to the bottom to subscribe to their mailing list, or follow them on Facebook to stay up to date with Locker #505’s events and current needs.
Thank you for helping ABQ Mom make Albuquerque a better place for every kid!
