BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Approximately 26.4% of children in Kern County live in poverty, but Beardsley Junior High School is working hard to bridge the gap between its students and basic necessities.
Just off of Golden State Avenue in Oildale, the Beardsley Bears are all about looking out for each other.
The school’s “Comfort Cave” has all types of necessities free to students. From hygiene products and backpacks to clothing, the Shoes That Fit campaign is about to greatly benefit this safe space.
“There are many barriers and struggles here in this area,” said Melany Ledesma, a social worker at Beardsley Junior High School. “We recognized there is a need for shoes, right, whether it be style, size, that’s been our barrier here. We are asking for 150 shoes. At $30 [per pair], that’s about $4,500.”
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With 380 students enrolled, the campaign would help those who need it most.
“We are going to go off of students who ask for food baskets, and students who need to use the resource of the Comfort Cave,” said Ledesma.