LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) – As the 2024-2025 school year approaches, many families are feeling the pinch of rising expenses, making it challenging to afford essential items for their children. In response, a local barbershop has stepped up to alleviate some of this burden.
Adrian Fondel, one of the new owners of Mack’s Hair Studio, expressed his commitment to community support: “Given the current economic challenges, we decided to unite and organize a drive to help out as many people as we can.”
Together with three fellow barbers, Fondel’s team distributed free school supplies, lunches, and haircuts to local students. This initiative aims to ease financial pressure on families and provide a boost of confidence for children as they head back to school.
“The need is significant, and many in our community are struggling,” Fondel said. “We’re fortunate to have the resources to make a difference.”
The cost of a child’s haircut has surged to about $20-$25, a significant increase from previous years. George “Smittie” Smith, a veteran barber in Southwest Louisiana, saw the opportunity to support the community through this initiative. He emphasized the impact of a fresh haircut on a child’s self-esteem: “Many children, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds, receive haircuts infrequently. By providing free haircuts, we help them start the school year feeling good about themselves, which can be crucial for their confidence and well-being.”
The event also marked the grand reopening of Mack’s Hair Studio, a historic establishment in Lake Charles. Tonya Griffith, daughter of the original founder, attended the reopening to honor her father’s legacy and continue the studio’s tradition of community involvement.
“It’s moving to see how the studio continues to address the community’s needs,” Griffith reflected. “My father was deeply committed to serving the African American community, and it’s heartwarming to witness his legacy carried forward. At my father’s funeral, people came in to pay for the haircuts he had given them over the years. It’s a testament to the impact he made, and we’re dedicated to continuing that work.”
The barbershop’s efforts underscore a broader commitment to supporting local families and ensuring that children can return to school with the essentials they need.