Although higher expenses are eating away at small business revenues, Don Slaughter is digging a little deeper into his pockets to give to a worthy cause.
“The times are difficult, and there are so many families who are one check from being homeless,” said Slaughter, 62, as an employee removed garments from a dry-cleaning machine and carried them to the presses.
“So whatever we can do to help, we try and do it.”
The perfectly pressed business suits, dresses and blouses are headed to 1000 N. 19th Street for Gateway Homeless Services’ annual Home(less) for the Holiday’s Gala. Slaughter volunteered to clean the clothes, which will clothe 50 to 75 homeless women, for no charge.
“A lot of the clothes are new and really nice,” said Slaughter, owner of Slaughter’s Cleaners.
To people who are homeless, a nice outfit can make the difference between feeling good about themselves and languishing in their circumstances.
“It will feel good just to see the smiles and the way the women are carrying themselves,” Slaughter said.
“For the residents, we want this to motivate them, uplift them and encourage them,” India Gray, director of development for Gateway Homeless Services, said of the gala.
In addition to new clothes, the women will get free makeovers to prepare for their special day.
The gala will honor the agency’s health care, church, corporate and individual sponsors while raising awareness about the issue of homelessness in the St Louis area.
About 600,000 families and 1.35 million children experience homelessness in the United States, according to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, an organization that provides research on homelessness to policymakers and elected officials.
While Gateway Homeless Services is taking donations for the holiday season, Gray stressed a continuous need for help, especially during the cold months.
“Right now with the way the economy is, we are needed more than ever,” Gray said. “Our vision is to provide a safe and nurturing home for all.”
To date, the organization has placed nearly 250 families into transitional or permanent housing.
The organization, which operates a 24-hour emergency shelter, relies heavily on donations to supply hot meals, school supplies, clothing, personal hygiene items and support programs for single women and their children.
The current economic turmoil has made many businesses scale back on charitable giving this year. A new survey from The Chronicle of Philanthropy reports that 60 percent of small-business owners have adjusted their contributions because of the economy.
“It’s just been a series of things that has made our net profit a lot less,” Slaughter said of his business.
Don’s father, Eugene, who is deceased, started the cleaning and laundry business in 1946 with $10,000 in savings and two years of college.
To get around problems obtaining financing, Eugene Slaughter used his savings to buy used equipment and open a laundry and cleaners at 4685 Easton, now known as Martin Luther King Drive.
He worked long hours with three employees to build up his business. Within a year the enterprise took off, allowing him to open Slaughter’s Cleaners at 4008 Delmar Blvd.
Eugene turned day-to-day operations over to his son, Don, eight years ago. But a shaky economy and outsourcing overseas have hurt the business in recent years, Slaughter said.
But in spite of cutting back on advertisements in result of lower net profits, Slaughter said one thing would remain the same: he will continue to donate leftover clothes and his services to help those in need.
“It’s not really going to kill me or make a determination whether I stay or go out of business,” Slaughter said. “So I can absorb the costs to see good being done and people being helped.”
The event will take place 5 p.m. Saturday at the Hyatt on the Riverfront, 315 Chestnut St. Tickets are $150 per person and $1,500 for tables of 10. The event will include live music, a silent auction, appetizers, desserts and a children’s room. Visit www.gatewayhomelessservices.org or call 314-231-1515.
