A donation from a non-profit changed a homeless woman’s life. During a conference for Cradles to Crayons, the members of the team received a coincidental surprise. A woman walked up to the executive director, Michal Smith, and thanked her for the kid packages the organization sent. The woman, who explained that she was living in a homeless shelter with her two children a year before, was able to reform her life. She is currently an employee at the convention center and has a home with her children. The packs were a beacon of hope during a dark and trying time.
“We don’t hear all of the stories,” Maureen Saraco, development manager, said, “But we know that there are thousands of other people like that who are just going through a difficult time and they deserve the help they need to get back on their feet.”
Cradles to Crayons, a non-profit organization located in Conshohocken, provides new and gently used clothing and items for those in need, free of charge, in the five county area. The 16,500 square foot and aptly named “giving factory” is full of brightly colored bags brimming with clothing. The warehouse is immaculately organized, with separate sections for clothing, toys, infant supplies, books and diapers. The factory is filled with volunteers working diligently at stations, smiling with co-workers and placing the perfect outfits together.
Saraco, explains that the motto of the organization is “quality equals dignity,” which is blazoned across signs around the warehouse. She explains that all of the materials are carefully inspected before chosen to be sent in packages for deserving children in the area.
“We are really focused on ensuring that we send items that are of high quality,” Saraco said. “Because it affirms their dignity as people.”
Volunteers must consider if they would give the toys, clothes or books to their own children or children they care for. This careful, loving approach guarantees that all children receive quality items. Volunteers from Norristown High School gathered one morning to carefully clean shoe donations, label the shoes with tags, and place them in corresponding, brightly-colored bins.
17,000 people volunteer their time every month at the warehouse. Cradles to Crayons runs approximately 1,000 collections a year.
The organization operates through donations and in correspondence with 240 human service organizations, including the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Abington, after-school programs, immigrant, refugee and domestic violence victims, homeless shelters and temporary housing organizations. Volunteers range from ages 6-96, and include local corporations, schools and individuals.
As a non-profit, Cradles to Crayons does not receive government funding. However, economic issues and government cuts increase the need in the region.
Poverty is primarily considered an inner-city problem, yet Sacaro explains the situation expands to a suburban issue.
She added that poverty is often “invisible,” concealed by families on the outskirts of the city who are suffering from the recession, but are often overlooked.
“Part of our mission is to engage and connect communities that have with communities that need,” Saraco said.
According to Sacaro, the sheer amount of need for items significantly increases. “The need is prevalent in the Philadelphia area…the need for our services goes up because people are struggling,” Saraco said.
Congress voted on the Farm Bill and included $8.6 billion cut to SNAP, formally known as food stamps on Jan. 29.
According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities site, the cut is the equivalent to 16 meals per month following the cost of the U.S. Agriculture Department’s “Thrifty Food Plan.”
Eighty percent of households that rely on SNAP benefits are living below the poverty line.
“If you are struggling to pay for food then you might not be able to afford school supplies or a warm coat for your child,” Saraco said. “That’s not a choice that any child should have to make.”
In 2013, 20,723 children’s packs were created, an overwhelming increase from the 15,665 created the previous year.
The kid packs are carefully selected by the volunteers in accordance to the standards of the organization. Volunteers locate a form with the child’s name and “shop” around the factory to find all of the requested items, from spring outfits, books and toys. The service is free for families and there is no limit on requests.
In addition to basic necessities, the non-profit donates high-quality school supplies year-round.
Ideally, school is a safe and inviting setting where children can grow and thrive. Unfortunately, many children do not have the resources to afford school supplies to succeed in school.
The National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth reports that nearly two thirds of all homeless adults did not receive a high school degree or GED.
U.S. public schools enrolled 1,168,354 children and youth experiencing homelessness during the 2011-2012 school year, up ten percent from the 2010-2011 total of 1,065,794, according to the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth.
Cradles to Crayons supports an annual event at Lincoln Financial Field where the football stadium transforms into a massive assembly line where volunteers fill backpacks with new notebooks, pencils and an encouraging note for the recipient.
Sacaro recounts that the organization heard the story of a boy who was so thrilled to start kindergarten that he slept next to his new backpack. The backpack is an object of hope and security for the future.
The “backpackathon” event, which occurs in August is not the only chance where children in the area can receive school supplies as Cradles to Crayons, donates all year round.
Most children do not have access to books in low-income households, Saraco explains. Books open up an entirely new fantasy world to the children, who will be introduced to lovable characters, whimsical situation and the beauty of words.
Education is vital for a child’s future and for breaking the vicious cycle of poverty.
The organization also donates packages of new children’s books, which are selected and wrapped in shiny pink and blue ribbons. Cradles to Crayons aims to send books to all of the children in order to cultivate a love of reading and literature.
“Books in combination with high quality school supplies help kids go to school prepared and continue learning outside the classroom,” Saraco said.
Volunteers and staff work tirelessly to meet the needs of the community and send packages to social workers within 3-5 days of the original request.
Diane Garvin, champion volunteer at Cradles to Crayons, joined the non-profit four and a half years ago. Garvin primarily works in the infant section, choosing adorable outfits and striving for an organized and efficient work station.
Licensed social workers distribute the packages to children in need. Therefore, the volunteers do not see first-hand how the children have been helped. The spirited volunteers form a connection with the children, the epitome of the non-profit’s “quality=dignity” mantra.
“When packing the bags I often think about the person who is opening the bag and think that they will be surprised and delighted for what we packed for the children,” Garvin said.
Garvin explains that the request form with the child’s name and age printed across can help volunteers connect with the child they are helping.
“Even if it’s people you’re not going to meet, you still care about them. That’s what Cradles is all about,” Saraco said. “This warehouse is an overwhelmingly positive environment. Even though there are a lot of tough situations out there and a lot of suffering Cradles is a nice place to come and be reminded that people are good.”
