Back-To-School Clothing Drive Association

For almost five decades, Back to School Clothing Drive has helped break down barriers to early childhood school success by providing new school uniforms and outfits, backpacks and school supplies to K-6 grade students who desperately need them. These children whose family are living at or below the federal poverty level attend Title 1 public elementary schools throughout the Valley.  Our products are school uniforms, but what we deliver is self esteem, self confidence, and a successful start to school for Shaq and thousands more just like him.

Through our work elementary school children receive new clothes, supplies, and shoes, allowing them to focus on the task at hand. When they receive much-needed school supplies, they can meet the demands of their coursework. When they receive personal hygiene items, they can greet the day with a healthy smile.When they receive kindness from others, they see hope in their future.

We are driven by the belief that every child deserves an equal opportunity for an education. That is why our programs are focused on breaking down the barriers to early school success.

We are driven by the knowledge that our actions can change the trajectory of their future. We are drivenby the affirmation that students who have clothes to wear and supplies to use are absent less often.

We are driven by the research which shows consistent attendance in elementary school leads to lower dropout ratesin high school. Our volunteers are driven by the transformations they see taking place right in front of them; when shynessmorphs into self assuredness.

Our donors are driven by the realization that a little can mean a lot; their minorsacrifices can reap major rewards. We are driven to make a difference. We are driven change to the world, one child at a time. We are driving the future and we want you to share the ride.

Programs

New Clothes, New Beginnings Annual Clothing Distribution. The Distribution takes place each July and serves approximately 8,500 low-income children. Approximately 4,500 are K-6th grade students attending a partner Title I elementary school in Maricopa County who attend the Distribution event and receive two new school outfits, a backpack, books, school and hygiene supplies. We distribute 4,000 additional backpacks filled with supplies to low-income children in northern Arizona and select local community service agencies in partnership with the BHHS Legacy Foundation's Backpack Buddies Program.

Student Attire For Education, or SAFE. SAFE is a matching grant program and online retail store that provides grants for uniforms and school clothing to partner Title I elementary schools in Maricopa County. SAFE offers partner schools a matching grant of up to $2,500 to purchase uniforms and clothing through our online retail store at competitive prices. Since launching the online store, more than 190 schools joined the program and annual sales approach $500,000. We invest net proceeds into SAFE to fund matching grants.

Stitches of Love. About 200 volunteer seamstresses who sew clothing items for each student who attends the Distribution event in July.