There isn't a big gap between the two offerings, last year 723 haircuts were given out with around 900 backpacks being provided. This year's goal was to round those numbers up with a goal of 800 haircuts and 1000 backpacks provided."[We started] 10 years ago, it started with doing 75 haircuts and backpacks, and then it grew from then till now," Mensah said. "It's just growing bigger and bigger each year."
With a change in Iowa law last year, Iowa barbershops are starting their own apprenticeship programs that allow would-be barbers to be paid while they learn from other barbers and through a state-approved curriculum. Some barbers say the state needs to provide more guidance to these new programs.