Pacsun & Rams partner up against chronic absenteeism in under-resourced schools

Californian lifestyle brand Pacsun has partnered with the Los Angeles Rams to donate washer and dryer sets to 20 schools in historically under-resourced communities in an effort to contest chronic absenteeism. Through the recently launched program, ‘Loads of Love,’ supported by Thinkwatts Foundation, 20 local schools within the Compton Unified School District and Los Angeles Unified School District will receive a set to make sure students always have clean clothes.

In addition, 2 million USD worth of Pacsun clothing will be donated this year to under-resourced schools within Compton Unified, Inglewood Unified, LA Unified, and the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools. In January 2024, half of this allocation was distributed to the 20 schools that received washer and dryer sets.

The US Department of Education identifies chronic absenteeism, defined as missing 15 or more school days annually, as a significant educational crisis, particularly in underserved communities. Factors such as poor health, inadequate transportation, safety concerns, and limited access to clean clothes contribute to this widespread issue.

"We are incredibly proud of our partnership with the Los Angeles Rams and Thinkwatts Foundation to address the critical issue of chronic absenteeism in under-resourced schools,” said Brie Olson, CEO of Pacsun, in a statement. “By providing washer and dryer sets and clothing donations through our community programs, we aim to remove barriers to ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed. We are committed to making a tangible difference in their daily lives, and this initiative reflects Pacsun's ongoing commitment to supporting and uplifting the communities we serve."

To celebrate their donations, the Rams, Pacsun, and the Thinkwatts Foundation, in partnership with the Los Angeles Unified School District, hosted a Pacsun pop-up shopping experience on May 24. They gifted the new washer and dryer sets to students at 112th STEAM Academy. The event also included a youth football clinic and an autograph session with Rams running back Kyren Williams.

"We're just getting started with changing lives! This is a pure example of the power of what I like to call the See-Suite when corporate meets community," said Thinkwatts Foundation founder Brandon Salaam-Bailey in a statement. "Amazing things happen when there is an aligned focus of impact between the two. The Thinkwatts Foundation and Rams tag team will continue to demonstrate excellence in positively impacting students, individuals, and communities in need by providing resources and opportunities needed to thrive academically and personally. Adding Pacsun is the cherry on top!"

The new program, ‘Loads of Love,’ is an extension of the ‘Geared for Greatness’ initiative launched by the Rams and Pacsun last year. Over the last four years, the two have donated more than 3 million USD in products to provide new clothing to more than 30,000 students throughout LA County.

"At Los Angeles Unified, we believe that every student deserves the opportunity to succeed, and that begins with being present in the classroom," said Alberto M. Carvalho, Los Angeles Unified Superintendent, in a statement. "By addressing barriers such as access to clean clothing, the Los Angeles Rams and partners are making a tangible difference in the lives of our students."

"When we learned that lack of clothing – and clean clothing – contributes to chronic absenteeism that prevents learning in our under-resourced communities, we wanted to find a creative way to address the issue,” said Los Angeles Rams Executive Vice President of Community Impact and Engagement Molly Higgins, in a statement. “We are grateful to our partners at Pacsun for donating $90,000 worth of clothing to the students at 112th STEAM Academy, and our partners at Thinkwatts Foundation who are helping us provide access to washers and dryers to keep the clothing clean and the students in school."