Hair stylists hear thousands of stories from their clients. They are captive listeners. Most information goes in one ear and out the other; however, something struck Theresa Wells as she styled a regular customer’s hair and listened to her talk about the JFCS food pantry.
Wells is a stylist at Studio 151 Hair and Nail Salon on Thierman Lane. The customer is Janet Meyer, the co-chair of the JFCS food pantry committee, who is passionate about ensuring that JFCS clients and their families never have to worry about going hungry. Her stories served as a call to action for Wells. With the approval of the owner, she organized the salon’s very first food drive to benefit the JFCS food pantry.
Salon patrons were reminded to bring donations when the salon made reminder calls the day before each customer’s appointment. Salon owner Janice Harvey added a wonderful incentive for folks to donate. If a customer brought in a donation, he or she was given a 20 percent discount in all retail product purchases.
“Watching the donations come in day after day has been a real thrill,” Ms. Wells shared. More than 760 items were donated, plus countless cash donations were all delivered to JFCS. “We are so touched by the generosity and kindness of so many individuals,” stated Janet Meyer. “The Studio 151 food drive was a huge success!”