Starting January 30^th, North Penn’s Key Club will begin to collect jeans for its Teens for Jeans Drive.

The drive hopes to “collect jeans, gently worn, for homeless teenagers. It’s through Aeropastle and Courtney KeHoe, who gave the idea to us,” says Key Club president Maria Poccia. Jeans of any brand can be donated to the cause just as long as they are in somewhat good condition.

While this is only North Penn’s first year hosting the drive, the collection has been in operation nationwide for 4 years now and has collected a total of over 1.5 million jeans. Though we may not see it in day to day life teenage homelessness has become a repent in the US. In face according to statistics from the Teen for Jeans website, 1 in every 3 homeless people in the US is under the age of 18.

By donating jeans, not only will North Penn be aiding a worthy cause and helping others our age, but also Aeropastle has an incentive for schools to attempt to collect as many jeans as they can. The school that can amass the most jeans wins not only $5,000 but every student will receive a new pair of Aeropastle jeans and there will be a party for the entire student body.

To donate jeans a student simply has to place their old pair in collection bins stationed around the building. The most conveniently located bins for students are found outside of Mrs. Law’s office in the sports lobby, and outside of the K-pod main reception office. For teachers looking to donate there will be a bin specifically for them either in the mailroom or the staff cafeteria.

As Key Club’s corresponding secretary, Lauren Mayer, so elegantly put it “So many teens are homeless and collecting jeans is the first step in ensuring they stay warm this winter. Everyone one should try to contribute if they are able to.”