Clothing Store, Newark Agency Teaming up for a 'Suitable' Cause

This month, Newark Now and its affiliate Fathers Now, a not-for-profit, community based organization, is partnering with Men’s Wearhouse for the sixth annual National Suit Drive, the nation’s largest collection of gently used business attire for men. Together, they are encouraging residents in the Essex County  community to donate their gently used business attire to help give a fresh start to disadvantaged workers still facing unemployment.

As a thank-you, donors will receive a coupon for 50 percent off the regular price of retail items (excluding shoes, clearance, and Everyday Low Price items) for their next Men’s Wearhouse purchase, as well as a tax receipt.

Along with more than 150 other nonprofit organizations across the country, Newark Now and National Suit Drive will distribute the items collected at the local Men’s Wearhouse locations. Items being collected include men’s and women’s suits, shirts, jackets, ties, belts, and shoes. Residents of Essex County may donate their gently used items now through July 31 at Men’s Wearhouse locations in Livingston, Paramus Park, Westfield  and at the Garden State Plaza.

“We are thrilled to partner with Men’s Wearhouse to help local job seekers,” said LaVar Young, President and CEO of  Newark Now. “Many people in this area are still struggling, despite the slowly recovering economy, and National Suit Drive is making it easy for the local community to give back and help those who are in need and searching for jobs.”

Although the national unemployment rate has begun to decline, 11.8 million Americans are still out of work, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The National Suit Drive aims to battle unemployment by providing professional business attire to those in need to help them regain confidence as they pursue a second chance. In addition, partnering nonprofit organizations such as Newark Now prepare the job seekers to re-enter the job market through résumé-building workshops, interview preparation, and employment training programs.

Last year, Newark Now and its affiliate Fathers Now  helped over 1,000 men in the Essex County area receive a chance to find their strong suit and get back to work.

Nationally, Men’s Wearhouse hopes to collect more than 150,000 articles of professional clothing to benefit numerous charities across the country.