We may ask ourselves why we need a clothing store at our school. Well, we have to go deeper than that. Let’s go back to the beginning of when we first started the Iron Vault. The Iron Vault began back in 2022. It was January fourth when the store had its first opening. The students came in to see all the clothing that they could take. There were men's clothing and women's clothing. The Iron Vault also has bathroom essentials like shampoo, conditioner, body wash, period baggies with essentials, and razors. The store has been adding more stuff every year. Some of the new additions were snack bags for kids who wanted something small to snack on. They also got a new washer and dryer to help kids.
The washer and dryer are amazing additions for some of the less fortunate kids. These kids can come in without other students knowing and get their clothes washed if they dont have the ability to at their own homes. They will also stop by your house and pick up your clothes to make it more secretive. We hear from other schools that they are also adding washers and dryers. This helps remove one small barrier at a time from students so that they can come to school with clean clothing.
The Iron Vault’s food bag program will help students who are having trouble at home with getting food. The store gives out a food bag to give them the possibility to have food at home if their parents don't have much money. They give them out every week on Thursday to whoever signs up for them.
By Avni J. McQueen
The Iron Vault: What Can We Help You with Today?
The Iron Vault started three years ago when a helpful art teacher had an idea to assist young adults in getting what they need to succeed in the Mancelona community. The Iron Vault started small with three volunteers from the community and some students who would come in during lunch to help pack food bags and put away clothing. Kathy Pecar Lightbody said in an interview with The Northern Michigan Woman publication, “The vault opened its doors on January 4th [2021] for the first time. Already we have been visited by more than half the high school population.” she gave this quote the first week we were open. The Iron Vault is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays every week. On Tuesdays, students can come in and get new clothing. The Iron Vault motto is “If we don't have it just ask.”
The Iron Vault is a great place to come in and shop and we have made many changes since our first year. The Iron Vault now has food, clothing, hygiene, and a washing machine for those who need to bring dirty clothing in to be clean because they don't have those resources at home. you can take advantage of our clothes cleaning services by bringing your dirty clothing in on Tuesday and going up to one of our helpful volunteers and ask them if they could put them in the wash and then you get clean clothes back on Thursday as long as you come in and grab them. The services provided truly help the Mancelona community to be ready for success.
On Thursdays, it's a little different. Students can come in because they need something from their specific services or come in because on Thursdays the Vault has a scheduled snack/food bag handout day. To get a bag students simply go in on a Tuesday, and say “I would like to sign up for a meal or snack bag”; then they come back in on Thursday and the snack bag will be ready for pick up! If students see something in the bag they don't like or can't have, they can tell the amazing Vault volunteers and they will see what they can do for a trade. Student Johnathan Craft says, “I take it even if I don't like it.” The students know Johnny is always ready to share his snack bag with other students who might need something to eat.
The Iron Vault is a place where everyone in the school is welcome to come in and shop; no matter their needs or money status. One student volunteer stated, “We want everyone to feel included and to be able to get what they need. A new thing we are doing this year is that we raised enough money to purchase a washer and dryer! We really want to put it out there for those of you who do not have these things accessible at home. Please come in to wash your clothes and have a shower; your community will appreciate it.”
The Iron Vault is here to help; they encourage students to come in and see them with all their needs. The Iron Vault workers are here to assist with anything our Mancelona community members may need. The Student Voice would like to thank all the amazing student volunteers and the amazing ladies who come in and volunteer every Tuesday and Thursday! They really are doing great things for our Mancelona community!