Locker 505 opens new location in NE Albuquerque

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – An Albuquerque nonprofit that helps students in need is celebrating the grand opening of its new location.

Locker 505’s new location on Menual near San Pedro looks like a department store and that’s the whole point.

“We want them to feel like every other kiddo that gets to go out and get new school clothes, that’s the whole purpose of this and to feel good about themselves. We want them to be able to shop for what they want, we keep a huge variety of clothing everything from shorts to prom dresses,” said director and founder of Locker 505, Kim Kerschen  

When the student clothing bank opened in 2014 it helped 400 students, now, that number has grown to 2,000 last year.

All the clothes are provided free of charge to students in need from kindergarten to 12th grade. 

“Students come to us, they get a referral from their school, from the social worker somebody who knows that they’re in need. The referral comes to us and we make an appointment for that student then the student comes here and they shop,” Kerschen said. 

All of the clothes and shoes have been donated by the community.

Locker 505 hopes to help even more students this year.            

“We exist because the community wants us to exist or else we wouldn’t be here,” said Kerschen.   

Organizers say monetary donations and gently-used clothing can be a huge help to the nonprofit. To learn more about how to donate, visit the Locker 505 website.