High school seniors start Beauty Bank to collect makeup and hygiene for Kern County teens

Bakersfield high school seniors created the Beauty Bank after a student volunteer encounter at a local shelter; the project gathers makeup, hair tools, skincare and hygiene items with collection boxes at area schools and businesses.

Several Bakersfield high school seniors have launched a project called the Beauty Bank to collect makeup, hair tools, skincare and hygiene items for local teenagers. The idea began with Emily Gonzalez after volunteering at the Open Door Network, an emergency shelter for families in Kern County. Gonzalez is part of Senior Rep, a program started by Makenzie Beeney of Makenzie Photography that mentors seniors and connects them with local businesses. The group organized donation boxes at multiple schools and businesses to collect items for teens. What we know: - The idea was inspired when Emily Gonzalez spoke with teenagers while volunteering at the Open Door Network shelter. - Senior Rep, run by Makenzie Beeney, provides mentoring and community connections for participating seniors. - The Beauty Bank seeks donations of beauty products, hair tools, skincare and hygiene items for teens. - Donation boxes are placed at several schools, including North (Room 48), Highland (Room 5L), Shafter (Room P5), Frontier (Room 1206), Liberty (Room 1106), BHS Spindt Hall 104, Centennial (Room 903), CTEG Sports Medicine, Independence (Room 711), and BCHS (Rooms 103, 107, 105). - Businesses accepting donations include Suck It Up!, Nails By Regina, Staples Energy, Locale Farm to Table, Bright Bite at Style Society, Adventist Health front desk, and Wild N Styled inside Haberfelde. Summary: The student-led Beauty Bank expanded from one volunteer’s idea into a coordinated collection effort involving schools and local businesses. Organizers and participating businesses report growing community involvement and multiple donation points. Undetermined at this time.