The Suds Buds project is administered by another non-profit group, the Junior League of Abilene. They raise money and items to help Abilene children affected by poverty in the Head Start program and selected Title I campuses in Taylor County as well as the Homeless Youth populations identified by AISD. Suds Buds provides basic hygiene items for students who otherwise couldn't afford such items in the middle of the school year when the need for assistance is especially great. More than 4,500 students and families benefit from our packages each spring. The group typically raise money and needed items in the fall and have a "pack night" in early winter to provide the packs during the spring season.
A care pack includes items like toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant soap, deodorant, shampoo. Other items include boxes of laundry detergent when needed. Additionally, 300 lice kits are provided to the schools to provide the student/families on an as needed basis. There are typically not enough lice kits to hand out. Junior League Volunteers gave over 100 hours to this project this past year (even during COVID). Additional supplies will be available for all of the assisted schools whom request extra packets beyond the additional distribution.
The cost of one hygiene pack is $2 each. The cost for a typical classroom of 22 students is $44. Each pack contains the following items: Toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant soap, deodorant, shampoo.
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