Forget an “X.” It’s a smile that makes the spot at Spotsylvania County Public Schools.
School social worker and McKinney-Vento liaison Michelle Swisher, LCSW will open the doors at the Treasure House on Monday after the holiday break and prolonged (and unforeseen) snow hiatus.
Her initiative provides area families in need with shampoos, soaps, deodorants, detergents, diapers, clothing, books and many other household and hygiene items. Gas and grocery gift cards are other common forms of assistance.
The Treasure House has called a heated trailer behind Massaponax High School home since 2012. Before that, Swisher operated out of the trunk of her car, handing out essential items to families in local motels. She credits help from former Spotsylvania Board of Supervisor Amanda Blalock for finding a permanent location.
Swisher has spearheaded an effort that serves all of Spotsylvania County Public Schools, or approximately 1,200 – 1,500 individuals. The Treasure House is open Tuesday and Thursdays between 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM. Rules are explained through a new shopper orientation. If schools are closed, so is the Treasure House.
Families are permitted to shop once per month, with their selection provided free of charge. Each is enrolled under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act or is referred by their school’s social worker. Not all who visit the Treasure House are homeless; some have experienced temporary hardships, like house fires.
“Shop” and “selection” are both points of emphasis, according to Swisher.
The Treasure House makes an effort to source and stock different brands, scents, colors and other product variations, striving to provide the same “dignity and choice” as a regular trip to the grocery store. Student volunteers from Massaponax High School’s Interact Club help sort and stock the shelves, and Swisher makes shopping baskets available to families to complete the experience.
Swisher says the Treasure House helps with “school connectedness,” providing staff better communication with families in need while also alleviating households burdened with increasing costs of living. She says that ensuring kids have the necessary household and hygiene goods is one way to maintain or increase attendance, especially with other support mechanisms in place.
“When everything else falls apart, at least you can go to school, see your friends and talk to your teachers,” Swisher says.
Inventory at the Treasure House comes from the kindness of the community. Local churches, scout troops, non-profit organizations and civics groups all regularly make donations to the Treasure House. Amazon has also recently provided 10,000 laundry detergent packets.
Every fall, the Treasure House holds its annual Rock Out, Knock Out Homelessness event at the Southpoint Walmart. A list is provided to shoppers as they enter the store and student volunteers assist in collecting and organizing the donated items. The Treasure House also organizes a quarterly “dressing day” and invites students and their families to donate clothing, shoes and other items.
Despite this outpouring of generosity from around the area, the necessity always seem to outweigh the contributions. Swisher says that the Treasure House currently is in need laundry detergent, cleaning wipes, diapers, personal hygiene products and non-perishable food items are currently in need.
As of mid-December 2024, there were over 400 children classified as homeless under the McKinney-Vento Act. in Spotsylvania That figure is trending up over last year with more than half of the school year remaining. The county ended the 2024 academic calendar with 630 McKinney-Vento students, the majority doubled up with friends or relatives “due to loss of housing or economic hardship.”
The region will gain more clarity at its child homeless numbers later this month after the Fredericksburg Continuum of Care’s Point In Time Count on Thursday, January 23rd. Last year, the region saw a 20% jump in students identified as falling under McKinney-Vento.
Learn more about the Treasure House and how to assist at bit.ly/3DMORzb.
