Charity Spotlight: Fashion Delivers

Victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan whose homes were washed away by a wall of sea have been left with nothing but the clothes on their backs. After needs for food and water are met, survivors need items such as clothes, sheets, blankets and towels.

That’s where national charity Fashion Delivers steps in.

Run out of New York, the non-profit promotes the idea that “giving is always in fashion.” Through a network of partners they focus on providing an excess of unused products from both men and women’s clothing companies and home goods in the later phases of natural disaster aid.

“Fashion is not just glitz and glamour. Clothing is a basic necessity, which everyone needs, said Fashion Deliver’s Executive Director Gail Garramone, “And we have proven that our industry has a heart and is more than willing to give.”

In 2005 after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, a group of fashion industry leaders created Fashion Delivers. Together they collected over $4.5 million worth of excess retail and wholesale clothing from vendors such as Calvin Klein, Forever 21, American Apparel, Hanes Brands, L.e.i., Clothing and Macy’s to be sent to victims.

Since then, the organization raised over $37 million worth of product donations for the earthquake victims of Haiti. They were also involved in the California Relief Fund and Operation Home Front. Even as they prepare for aiding Japan, Fashion Delivers is working with military families in preparation for returning soldiers.

The goal of Fashion Delivers is to respond directly to the afflicted of natural disasters. Frequently they remind their collection of over 500 companies that no donation is too small. Garramone explains, “We would like to be the charity of choice for the fashion industry, and have donors give us product to help needy people everywhere.”

In response to Japan, Fashion Delivers has begun working with national agencies on how and when they will send out products to devastated areas. Since cold weather has increased, they are looking for heavy weight pieces of clothing as well as home goods. As of now all Fashion Delivers can do is wait until the necessities of water and food are fulfilled.

To learn more about Fashion Delivers Charitable Foundation, Inc. please visit www.fashiondelivers.org