Westminster School District families can now get clothing and other essential items for free.
The school district opened a boutique at Iva Meairs Elementary School on Wednesday, May 3, for all students and their families to get clothes and items like hygiene products, laundry detergent, school supplies and diapers for free.
The idea for the boutique was conceived three years ago at the height of the pandemic, said Mariela Bridgewaters, a parent and family engagement specialist at WSD.
As part of her job, Bridgewaters was already receiving and distributing donated items to students and families. As the number of donations increased, Iva Meairs Elementary principal Katherine Kane gave her an empty classroom to store them. And from there, the dream of a boutique was realized.
Shelves packed with diapers are one of the items available at the new Westminster School District’s Boutique store at Iva Meairs Elementary in Garden Grove on Wednesday, May 3, 2023. The Boutique will allow families in the district get clothes and essential items for free. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Mariela Bridgewaters, center, the Westminster School District parent and family engagement specialist invites guests to tour the district’s new Boutique store at Iva Meairs Elementary in Garden Grove on Wednesday, May 3, 2023. The Boutique will allow families in the district get clothes and essential items at no cost. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Westminster School Board member Tina Gustin-Gurney tours the district’s new Boutique store at Iva Meairs Elementary in Garden Grove on Wednesday, May 3, 2023. The Boutique will allow families in the district get clothes and essential items at no cost. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Westminster School District president David Johnson, left, speaks during the grand opening of the Westminster School District’s Boutique store at Iva Meairs Elementary in Garden Grove on Wednesday, May 3, 2023. The Boutique will allow families in the district get clothes and essential items for free. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ribbon cutting during the grand opening of the Westminster School District’s Boutique store at Iva Meairs Elementary in Garden Grove on Wednesday, May 3, 2023. The Boutique will allow families in the district get clothes and essential items for free. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A sample of some of the items available at the new Westminster School District’s Boutique store at Iva Meairs Elementary in Garden Grove on Wednesday, May 3, 2023. The Boutique will allow families in the district get clothes and essential items for free. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Westminster School District officials and other guests tour the District’s Boutique store at Iva Meairs Elementary in Garden Grove on Wednesday, May 3, 2023. The Boutique will allow families in the district get clothes and essential items for free. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
“The purpose of the boutique is really for the students to have clothing to come to school,” Bridgewaters said.
All items in the store are donated, and it’s accepting donations of kids’ clothing from preschoolers all the way to eighth grade, she said. Because of limited space, it’s not taking toys or furniture donations, Bridgewaters said.
“The purpose is really to fulfill the basic needs of the family.”
All students in the district can avail of the boutique by scheduling an appointment. To start, the store will be open every Friday, but plans are in the works to open at additional times as well, Bridgewaters said. She said they hope to recruit more volunteers to run the store.
Donations (new and gently used clothing) can be dropped off at the front office at Westminster School District office at 14121 Cedarwood St. between 7.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. on weekdays.
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