Holly Winchester says the Fresh and Free program will help with the “huge cost” of school supplies parents face each year. Photos: Holly Winchester.
A Queanbeyan mum is helping fellow parents save money on their kids’ school uniforms.
Former primary school teacher and current childhood educator Holly Winchester knows firsthand how some kids go without.
“Working in the schools was probably the thing that opened my eyes,” she said.
“I would see kids coming to school with empty lunch boxes … I saw a lot of things that really broke my heart.”
To make it easier for parents, she and her mum Karen have launched Fresh and Free.
They accept donated uniforms, check their condition and make them available free to others.
“I think it’s really important for kids to be able to turn up at school and feel like they belong to that community,” Holly said.
“[When they have a complete uniform] they don’t have to worry about what they’re wearing. They feel comfortable and proud and are able to have a great day at school.”
Through the program, families can bring their kids in, shop for what they need and avoid some of the “huge cost” of school supplies, such as uniforms.
“We’re presuming that if you’re coming and taking it, then you need it,” Holly said.
“I think it’s great for families to come after school hours or in the school holidays before they return to school, [so they] have somewhere to go and find those uniforms.”
The initiative covers public and private schools in the Queanbeyan area, as well as schools across the border in the ACT.
“There are a lot of students in Queanbeyan who go to Canberra schools, so we would love donations from those schools,” Holly said.
She said parents were often slugged with the initial charge, as well as the cost of replacing worn-out pieces, damaged items, or those a child had just outgrown.
“It’s definitely the cost [parents are struggling with],” she said.
“Also, there are a lot of schools that have changed their school uniforms in Queanbeyan recently, and there’s a brand new school in Googong, so that’s a lot of students needing new ones.”
Fresh and Free is accepting donations at several locations around Queanbeyan.
While Fresh and Free currently only accepts uniforms, Holly said it might expand in the future.
Donations can be made at Ciao Cafe and Cakes (200 Crawford Street), Langes Auto Centre (44 Yass Road) and the two Kin Early Learning Centres (35 Uriarra Road and 24 Mulloon Street).
Also, Karen can pick up items directly from people who cannot make it to the drop-off locations.
“[How] these businesses just reached out on their own accord without us asking has been incredible,” Holly said.
“It just goes to show that the Queanbeyan community is always there, ready to put their hand up and help out in any way they can. It’s been overwhelming and just amazing.”
For Holly, the school uniform is something that helps all kids feel like they have the same opportunities as their mates.
“The cost-of-living crisis has particularly hit families really hard,” she said.
“Some weeks, families might be deciding between buying lunches or buying the school uniform.
“If I can do whatever I can to make it a little bit easier for those kids to get through the school day and to help those families, that’s the aim.”
Fresh and Free can be contacted through Facebook.
