Back-To-School Clothing Drive Association

At Back-to-School Clothing Drive, Our mission is to provide new school outfits and uniforms, backpacks, and school supplies to children in need. We help break down barriers to early-childhood school and education success.

Our Beginning
In 1967 the Salt River flooded, washing out many of the migrant camps located along the river bank. A group of women supported by “The Order of True Sisters” and other Phoenix agencies banded together to raise money to supply back-to-school clothes for the children of the migrant families. Founders Lucy Allen and Selma Shefler raised enough resources in the first year to provide 871 children with clothing, establishing Back-to-School Clothing Drive.

Today, Back-to-School Clothing Drive provide for students in Maricopa County and Northern Arizona.

What They Need
Clean clothes, shoes that fit, and a backpack stocked with school supplies … most children don’t think twice about getting these necessities when they start school. But for children whose families can’t afford them, such items – and the self-confidence they bring – are hopelessly out of reach.
Founded in 1967, Back to School Clothing Drive provides these fundamental items to high-need children throughout Arizona. Through our three programs we help more than 25,000 children from 260+ schools in 40 school districts. These programs help break down barriers to early childhood school success, build self-esteem and self-confidence, and ultimately confident, strong students ready to learn, achieve, and advance.

Our Programs
Do you remember how it felt on the first day of school to put on your new clothes and shoes and grab your cool backpack that was filled with everything you needed for a great year? At Back to School Clothing Drive we want every child to feel like that, even if their families can’t afford to provide those things themselves.

Each year we serve 25,000 of Arizona’s high-need students through six innovative programs:

New Clothes = New Beginnings
This is our annual clothing distribution event where we give more than 5,000 students from Title I schools, military families, and foster care and transitional housing organizations new clothes, shoes, underwear, backpacks, school supplies, and personal care packs.

As our signature event, this annual distribution is what most people think of when they hear the words “Back to School Clothing Drive.” For five days each July approximately 5,000 students from more than 140 schools come to Grand Canyon University for a back-to-school “shopping spree!”

The students, who are pre-registered by their school administrators based on need, each get a volunteer “personal shopper” who guides them through the various departments and helps them pick out two pairs of shorts, two polo shirts, one sweatshirt, one belt, three pairs of socks and underwear, one pair of shoes, and a backpack filled with grade-appropriate school supplies. But that’s not all! They also get a personal care pack and health screenings, and they end their day picking out books and a hand-crafted item made by one of our Stitches of Love volunteers.

It takes more than 2,500 volunteers to set up, execute, and tear down this event each year and we never have a shortage! In fact, we’re routinely told by our corporate volunteer coordinators and our civic organization leaders that “New Clothes = New Beginnings” is the most requested volunteer opportunity they offer.

Student Attire for Education (SAFE)
Schools use SAFE to stock their campus clothing closets, enabling them to provide emergency relief to any student who shows up in immediate need of clean clothes or shoes that fit.

SAFE (Student Attire for Education) is an online school uniform store that BTSCD has operated since 2000, when we assumed operations from the Stardust Companies. It may come as a surprise that a number of Arizona’s Title I schools require their students to wear uniforms. However, research* shows such policies result in decreased bullying, increased safety, and fewer distractions, among other benefits. What people often find more surprising is that these same schools have to maintain onsite clothing closets so they can provide uniforms, underwear, and shoes to their students who often show up in clothes that are too small, to threadbare, or too dirty to be worn.

“It’s hard for us to grasp the need that exists just a few miles in any direction,” says Gerald Wissink CEO of BHHS Legacy Foundation, one of BTSCD’s financial supporters. “Some children have to stay home from school because their families can’t afford clothes. We’ve even heard of cases where kids have to share clothes or shoes, so only one sibling goes to school each day.”

Momentum School Uniforms
This online store sells uniforms and clothing basics to schools and retail customers. All the proceeds are used to help fund New Clothes = New Beginnings and there’s something for everyone. Order today at momentumschooluniforms.com!

Stitches of Love
About 600 seamstresses comprise our Stitches of Love program. These volunteers, whom we often refer to as “angels,” sew, crochet, and craft all year long to ensure the children who attend our events go home with something made especially for them!

Backpack Buddies
To kids who have them, backpacks are no big deal – but for those who don’t, it’s just another reason to feel like you don’t fit in. We’re proud to partner with BHHS Legacy Foundation on this initiative that delivers more than 10,000 backpacks filled with school supplies to students throughout Arizona. Learn more here about how your company or organization can sponsor a Backpack Stuffing for your next teambuilding or Corporate Social Responsibility initiative!

Project:WEAR
Created in 2022, Project:WEAR is a program that increases our capacity to serve Arizona’s low-income families. We work with funders to provide items to students who can’t attend “New Clothes = New Beginnings” as well as older students and adults who need clothes and sneakers for work, education, and recreation.

Make a Donation
Home/Make a Donation
Thank you for your donation to Back to School Clothing Drive! For more than 50 years we have been a driving force in securing educational equality for Arizona’s highest need students — and we couldn’t do it without you! We know you work hard for your money and there are many things to consider before you make a donation anywhere. We appreciate the trust you place in our organization and our mission, and we assure you that:

* We use the latest technology to ensure your donation is secure.
* We do not sell your information to anyone.
* We have a 100 (out of 100!) score on Charity Navigator so you can give with confidence!
* Our programs impact more than 25,000 students annually and we have only three full-time employees. (Yes, we have the greatest volunteers ever!)

As a 501c3, all donations to Back to School Clothing Drive are tax-deductible. With regard to the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit, Back to School Clothing Drive is a qualifying charitable organization identified by code 20462.

CONTACT INFO:

Back-to-School Clothing Drive
360 E. Coronado Rd. #200
Phoenix, AZ 85004

Phone: 602-256-9408
Email: info@btscd.com