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Dress for Success: Moores Canadian Suit Drive

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FACT: Donated Suits Improve Men’s Chances for Employment.

Chances are, you know someone who has been out of work this past year. And with unemployment comes hard times, even harder choices and a limited amount of options to find fulfilling, meaningful work. In fact, this past April alone, there were 744,600 reported cases of unemployed men across Canada – and the need to help these men is a very real issue.

I’ve had friends, family members and loved ones who have unexpectedly found themselves unemployed. And let me tell you – it’s rough. But the only thing worse than scouring the want ads, re-writing your resume and worriedly checking on the bank balance, is not having confidence in the way you present yourself at interviews. After all, your self-esteem when you walk through the door can dictate how successful your meeting is. However, for several men looking to break back into the workforce, they simply don’t have access to an interview-ready wardrobe.
Moores Suit DriveThis year, I’m proud to partner with Moores Clothing to help spread the word about the Moores’ Canadian Suit Drive. The Suit Drive provides free suits and professional clothing to men seeking to turn their lives around by working directly with more than 60 local recipient organizations across Canada that provide job readiness programs for men seeking employment.

“We may not realize how much confidence a suit can give, but sometimes that small act of donating a suit to someone in need hoping to transition back into the workplace can make all the difference,” says Paige Souter, Executive Director at Dress Your Best in Toronto.

It makes perfect sense to me, and this past weekend, I raided my husband’s closet to find worthwhile items he was ready to part with. From shirts and jackets to pants and ties, I collected a nice pile of stylish clothes that we knew would be better suited (pun intended) to a job seeker than hanging out at the back of his closet. And it’s all good, because we win too! As a thank you for donating, customers will receive 50 per cent off their next purchase from Moores (excluding shoes, clearance, and Exceptional Value items).

Now in its fifth year, Moores’ Canadian Suit Drive runs from July 1-31, 2014. Canadians can donate men’s suits, shirts, jackets, pants, ties, belts and shoes as well as women’s professional clothing at any of the more than 100 Moores’ stores across Canada. For more information, visit www.canadiansuitdrive.com.

No suit? No Problem! You can donate even if you don’t have any professional attire to spare. For every social mention of #SuitDrive, Moores will donate $1 (up to $10,000) to the cause. You don’t even have to leave the house!

Remember, by contributing to the Suit Drive, you’re helping at least one Canadian man facing barriers to employment get back on his feet. So dig deep! I can’t think of a better reason to make some room in your boyfriend or husband’s closet. Click here to visit Moores’ Canadian Suit Drive.

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Comments

  1. I had no idea Moores did this, this is such an awesome cause that Moores is doing, and it’s one way to get you to clean your closet out too..lol

  4. I did not know that they did this drive! I will definitely nudge my partner to dig through his wardrobe.

  5. Excellent cause !! Wish I could help out, but no men here, I don’t have any professional clothing left (donated it etc years ago when I went on disability), and no Twitter…. but I will spread the word for you :)

  6. I cannot even imagine how hard it would be for someone to START out from nothing. It’s so wonderful that Moores is helping with such a great program! Very much win win indeed

    • I agree Soozle – there are so many men out there in need of professional clothing! This is an amazing initiative.

  8. I knew that there were several organizations doing this for women but didn’t realize it was also being done for men. Kudos to Moore’s!

  9. This is just wonderful!! I know there’s so much out there for women it’s a really refreshing change to see something for the guys out there!

  10. I did not know that Moore’s did this! Such a great idea and obviously, especially for men. Women tend to be able to throw something together or borrow something suitable for an interview. Men, on the other hand don’t have much choice, especially if they never owned a suit, hadn’t had to wear one in their previous jobs (everywhere is casual dress) etc. Suits are so expensive. Good for Moore’s! I will be checking out the closets!

  14. I am so glad Moore’s does this. I had heard of the one for women so why not for men! Kudos to Moores!

  20. This is such a great program because so many grow out of their suits so why not give it to someone that needs it.