Locker 505 Unveils Mobile Clothing Bank Bus to Expand Statewide Student Support in New Mexico

POLICY WIRE — Albuquerque, New Mexico — Locker 505 has unveiled an innovative mobile clothing bank, ingeniously housed within a custom-renovated school bus, poised to significantly extend its reach to an estimated 3,000 additional students across New Mexico annually.

The organization, Locker 505, initiated plans for this ambitious mobile outreach unit several years prior. It is now fully prepared to deliver essential services to school districts situated beyond the immediate metropolitan area of Albuquerque.

“It’s amazing. It’s just amazing,” commented Kim Kerschen, Executive Director of Locker 505, reflecting on the project’s successful realization.

Kerschen shared that the vision for a mobile clothing bank first came to her several years ago as a way to address broader community needs.

Transforming a Vision into Reality

A crucial grant enabled Locker 505 to acquire the necessary bus for this groundbreaking initiative. Subsequently, a retired contractor, identified through a radio advertisement, was secured for the extensive renovation work.

“Absolutely, we thought it was crazy,” Kerschen admitted regarding the initial concept. “You just don’t easily find someone to refurbish a bus exactly as you envision it. We were truly fortunate to discover Michael.”

Local media previously featured Michael Spiller in November 2025, just prior to his commencement of the renovation project. Spiller meticulously transformed the bus’s interior, expertly removing existing seating, installing essential shelving, and completing the comprehensive work in a remarkable span of just over four months.

“It’s such a neat opportunity that I’m taking on. I’ve never done anything quite like this,” Spiller remarked on his unique undertaking.

“There were tears,” Kerschen emotionally recounted, highlighting the significance of the project’s completion.

Bringing the Shopping Experience to Students

The new mobile unit is meticulously designed to replicate the positive and empowering shopping experience available at Locker 505’s Albuquerque brick-and-mortar location. Kerschen detailed the wide array of essential items the bus will stock:

• Complete outfits and coordinated sets
• Comfortable hoodies for various seasons
• A diverse selection of shoes
• Nutritious and easy-to-access snacks
• Fresh socks, a frequently requested item
• Comforting stuffed animals for younger children
• Private dressing rooms for dignified fittings

“The kids will simply get to shop,” Kerschen explained. “We’ll have outfits already curated, just as we do at our main location, allowing them to choose freely. We’ll also carry hoodies and, of course, everyone’s favorite, shoes.”

Responding to persistent demand from remote areas, Kerschen noted, “We frequently receive calls from places like Farmington, from Cruces, and from Vegas, and previously, we lacked the capability to reach them. Now, we finally do.”

Expanding Critical Student Support Statewide

With this significant expansion, Locker 505 aims to extend its vital services to approximately 3,000 additional students across the state annually. This outreach will complement the 5,000 students it currently supports within the greater Albuquerque area.

“I’ve witnessed the profound impact these services have on children here,” Kerschen affirmed. “I am confident it will have a similar, if not greater, effect on students in other areas statewide, particularly in communities lacking comparable resources.”

The next phase for Locker 505 involves enhancing the exterior of the bus through painting or a decorative wrap. The organization warmly welcomes support from donors and is actively offering various sizes of magnets for sale to help fund these ongoing efforts and ensure the bus can continue its mission effectively.