Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) is partnering with Dress for Success Midwest to organize a professional clothing drive on Saturday, Feb. 24 from noon to 4 p.m.

FBLA sponsor Matt Steffens said, “We chose to partner with Dress for Success Midwest because their mission is to provide business attire to individuals of lesser means, better preparing each woman or man with the confidence and look they would need to attain a job.  Since FBLA is a business-related organization, our members thought this would be a perfect organization to partner with as it relates to FBLA’s goal of preparing students for future careers in the business world.”

FBLA president Kashish Gupta, junior, came up with the idea for the clothing drive.

Gupta said, “I have actually not previously worked with Dress for Success Midwest, but I have organized a different drive for women’s shelters across the St. Louis area, and that is what inspired the idea for clothing drive because I saw the need when I visited the shelters.”

Dress for Success Midwest helps prepare its clients beyond just providing them attire.

“The importance of collecting professional clothing is because this particular charitable organization focuses on helping many women and men by providing interview appropriate clothing and attire that would be needed for their future careers.  Dress for Success Midwest does more to prepare women specifically by providing job training and providing career counseling services as well,” Steffens said.  

Acceptable donations include interview-appropriate suits and blouses, professional slacks, skirts, dresses, blazers, jackets, jewelry, scarves, briefcases, portfolios or any other appropriate handbags.

The drive will be located at Lafayette in the Commons.