Kaladis Brothers’ Soldotna locations have started a fundraiser to help local youth in need get school supplies by making ceiling tiles available as canvases to artists interested in donating.
Soldotna Kaladis manager Amirah Marey said the issue is a growing concern in the area.
Marey: “Its something that was brought to my attention and we’ve heard from the school district themselves that they have to help out a little extra because it’s not complete homelessness but the facts of them struggling and having to worry about all this extra stuff as a child, we’ve seen more of that around here and that’s just something we want to fix.”
Donation suggestions for painting tiles are dependent on the size of the tiles, but Marey said artists are welcome to be creative as long as the art is appropriate for all ages.
Marey: “What we’re trying to do is help with the looks of our cafes, if you can incorporate coffee, our goat emblem, anything community wise.”
Marey said there are sign up sheets for people interested at both Soldotna locations however artists may have to wait to get their tile because of regulations about how many tiles may be down at once.
She expects the project to take most of the summer with the final funds available for the beginning of next school year.