Michal Smith is the executive director of Cradles to Crayons, Philadelphia (Credit: Michal Smith)
About 20 million children across the U.S. suffer from clothing insecurity
Families who struggle to pay for rent and groceries often can’t afford other basic items like properly fitted clothes, diapers, winter coats, and school supplies for their children.
When children don’t have appropriate clothing, they are more likely to miss school, medical appointments and social activities, creating an unequal playing field.
Michal Smith, executive director of Cradles to Crayons, Philadelphia, says that when kids feel good in their clothing, it is a launchpad for success.
Smith spoke to Access Network about the mission and services of Cradles to Crayons and how community members can get involved.
“Our motto is quality equals dignity.”
Cradles to Crayons was founded in Boston in 2002 and then expanded to other areas including the Greater Philadelphia area.
“Our mission is to provide basic essentials like clothing, shoes, a warm coat and school supplies for children living in poverty,” Smith explained.
Initially the nonprofit focused on children between the ages of 0 and 12 but now serving kids up to the age of 18.
“What makes us unique is our gently used product model. People donate their gently used quality kids’ clothing or donate clothes they bought for their kids but were never worn and still have the tags on it,” she said.
She added that certain things they need to buy brand new like underwear, socks, diapers and school supplies.
Diapers are especially very expensive items. When mom can’t put a clean diaper on her baby, she ends up missing work because she can’t leave her children in daycare without clean diapers. This further destabilizes families, she explained.
“There are approximately 20 million children across the U.S. who suffer from clothing insecurity. In our region alone, there are 300,000 kids who need our services.”
Cradles to Crayons Philadelphia works with 188 service partners in the region, including the School District of Philadelphia, Project Home and the Maternity Care Coalition, to identify children in crisis. Volunteers in the Giving Factory sort and bundle donated clothing and other essential items into packages the service partners distribute.
Through Cradles to Crayons, 3.6 million diapers annually and 75,000 backpacks in August are distributed directly to families in crisis.
On the challenges the nonprofit faces in fulfilling its mission, Smith said, “The need is so great, and we don’t have enough volunteers or donations. Ideally, we would love to be able to distribute 1.2 million packages a year so we can give children in need four packages a year.”
How can you help?
Smith said from volunteering in the Giving Factory to donating items and money, there are many ways the community can help them fulfill their mission.
“We are the only organization in Philadelphia where children as young as 5 can volunteer so families can do it together. Groups as large as 40 can also volunteer in the Giving Factory,” she said.
“The Giving Factory doors are always open, and we love to have help. This is a place where you can make an impact in just two hours so you leave feeling so good.”
Donations of gently used clothing are also needed. Needed items can also be purchased off their Amazon list. Financial support is also greatly appreciated, she said. For more information, visit cradlestocrayons.org.
