Sight for sore eyes: Eyeglass Factory giving free glasses to kids in need

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - The father and son co-founders of Santa Barbara's Eyeglass Factory are offering free glasses to kids in need every day of the year.

Since 1994, the Eyeglass Factory has designated one day a year to give away free eyeglasses to kids 18 and younger who need them and need help paying for them.

Last year, Rick Feldman and his son Gregg decided the business should offer free glasses every day.

“There’s nothing more important than the health and wellbeing of our kids,” Rick Feldman said. “Nothing more important. And now they’re handicapped even more so with COVID and the need to study at home. And if they can’t see to study, then they cannot achieve their full potential.”

Rick and Gregg say kids only need to be 18 and younger to qualify.

“No hoops to jump through,” Rick said. “Just show up. Say you’re 18 and under and that you need ‘em… We make it easy because that’s the way it should be.”

In the past year, the business has given away nearly one thousand pairs of glasses across its three stores--in Santa Barbara, Ventura and Camarillo.

In the month of December, eye exams are also free for kids in need.

The pandemic has only increased demand for eyewear and eye doctor appointments at the Eyeglass Factory.

Gregg plans to continue to program for as long as he can.

“The fact that we’re able to do it and continue it, we’re very proud of [that],” he said.

To learn more, you can visit the Eyeglass Factory's website.