Recently, Balfurd Cleaners concluded its inaugural EmpowerWear campaign, an initiative that collected more than 500 professional garments by the June 30 campaign deadline, with an additional 100 garments collected from route customers in the days following.
Launched in partnership with the Penn State Professional Attire Closet (PAC), a division of Penn State Career Services, the month-long campaign provides an estimated 600 pieces of professional apparel to students preparing for internships, career fairs, interviews, and their first professional careers.
Originally created by America’s Best Cleaners in 2023, the EmpowerWear program has grown into one of the organization’s signature community outreach initiatives. Designed to give quality garments a meaningful second life, EmpowerWear connects local charities and career development organizations with gently worn professional attire while helping reduce textile waste and promote fashion circularity. Balfurd Cleaners now joins fellow ABC affiliates including Owl Cleaners, Platinum Cleaners, and Fox Cleaners in bringing the program to their communities.
“The response exceeded every expectation we had,” said Monika Manter, owner of Balfurd Cleaners. “Penn State Professional Attire Closet has already asked us to make this an annual June campaign to help prepare for their busy fall career season. Our customers absolutely embraced the idea. Many wrote to thank us for providing such a meaningful way to give back, and several even requested additional donation bags after filling their first ones.”
The success of the campaign has already established a strong foundation for future collaboration. Penn State Professional Attire Closet has expressed its desire to make the EmpowerWear campaign an annual event each June, ensuring students have access to professional wardrobes before the university’s busy fall recruiting and career fair season.