Stylists from corporate salon Hair Masters’ Bonney Lake location will be donating their time to help ease unemployment. Their solution? Haircuts.

“A haircut can make (an unemployed person) feel better about themselves, give them a fresh outlook,” manager Tami Griffin said. “They’ll be able to go into a job interview with more self-confidence.”

Haircuts are a luxury that many people will forego when they suddenly find themselves unemployed and on a fixed income, Griffin said. Yet when a haircut is part of a presentable appearance, it can become necessary in a job interview.

The salon’s nine stylists will offer free haircuts the first Sunday of each month at the Prairie Ridge Bread of Life Food Bank. They will also be collecting school supplies and hygiene products for student in high-need households.

Anyone who wants to receive a haircut just has to arrive with their Electronic Benefit Transfer card (used for state assistance such as food stamps) and proof of unemployment.

The program is called Helping Hands and is a new community outreach venture for the Bonney Lake Hair Masters. The salon has previously cut hair in conjunction with Locks for Love and Lions 4 Kids House.

This time they will be working with White River Community Outreach and the Prairie Ridge Community Coalition.

“Prairie Ridge is a high-needs community that has children in Sumner, Orting and White River school districts,” PRCC Coordinator Monica Gaub said. “It’s an area that’s been hit hard by unemployment. This type of assistance helps.”

A drop-off box in the salon invites composition books, highlighters, permanent ink markers, red and green pen and backpacks.

“I am a super shopper and in previous years I usually pick up what I can from the stores after school starts to get the best deals on supplies,” WRCO Director Julie Bavaart said. “But this year donations are down and, in this economy, donors are struggling too. With help from donors like Hair Masters, the distribution is actually going on before school will be in session. This is wonderful.”

“People can bring in their spring cleaning,” Griffin said. “Soaps, razors, shampoo. A lot of times you try a new brand, try it once and decide you don’t like it and it just stays around the bathroom until you clean house. Those items can help somebody in need.”

Donations for Helping Hands can be dropped off at the Hair Masters Salon, 20067 State Route 410. Haircut appointments can be made at (253) 862-6766. Haircuts will be the first Saturday of each month from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Prairie Ridge Bread of Life Food Bank, 14104 Prairie Ridge Drive E.