Who Benefits When You Donate Career Clothing

By Jaclyn Hurley


If you are one of the millions of people who have been unemployed for an extended period there is help available to you. It is organizations that are soliciting others to donate career clothing. These garments are then distributed to people who may not have access to appropriate apparel to wear to a job interview. First impressions account for many people being hired in the job market and if you do not look the part you may not succeed regardless of your skill set.

When you bring a donation to your church or nonprofit organization to be used by those seeking employment you may be helping them to assist someone prepare for their future. These organizations help their clients and neighbors by teaching them the skills they need to secure and maintain a job. The first step in this process is finding appropriate clothes to wear to an interview for employment.

Shelters for women and women with children do a great deal of this type of work. They sometimes partner with dress shops or department stores to assure their clients will have an up to date wardrobe for job seeking. They also work with the public and encourage them to help by bringing their lightly used office apparel in for donation.

Many community churches have special areas where people can bring their lightly used career clothing. They have certain days of the week when you can drop off the items and ask that they be clean and without excessive wrinkling. There are specific garments that are best suited for job seeking and they ask that you only bring things found on their lists.

Women's garments should be business casual. This means suits with slacks or a skirt, blazers, skirts and blouses, shoes of all sizes and unused toiletries, undergarments and hosiery. They request that the clothing be seasonal and not be out of style or inappropriate. A rule of thumb is whether or not you would wear the garment in question to an interview or not. If you would wear it then it will be perfect for their needs.

The list for men contains the basic male wardrobe. Suits, ties, dress shirts and shoes. Black or brown stockings and other accessories are needed along with basic toiletries necessary for the best appearance. They do not want polo shirts or casual clothes, pajamas or any type of underwear.

National women's organizations have rallied to help support women in shelters by partnering with local affiliates to supply them with a fitting with a professional who will assist them in selecting appropriate apparel for their interview. If they get the job they are then treated to several more outfits to allow them to have enough of a wardrobe to finish the first week of work. There is a follow up program called working wardrobe that continues to help them dress for success.

Everybody benefits when persons in need of a helping hand get the clothes and skills they need to get ahead. Organizations have banded together to help provide the basic tools they need and it is proving to be a successful endeavor. When coupled with agencies to prepare them for working, organizations that help them dress for success are the finishing touch on a recipe for a new life for thousands of individuals and their families.




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