Joseph V. Labolito/Temple University

Temple President Ann Weaver Hart kicked off the professional clothing drive by donating business apparel to Kofi Asante, executive director of the National Comprehensive Center for Fathers, which will distribute the items to job seekers in the area surrounding the university.

In a competitive job market, job seekers need to consider every detail of their personal presentation, from the way their resume is formatted to what they wear to an interview.

For some, however, the cost of professional apparel can make it difficult to dress for success. That’s why, starting today, Temple’s offices of Community Relations and Human Resources are hosting a professional clothing drive to benefit members of the community surrounding Temple.

Through May 21, Temple faculty and staff can donate lightly used men's and women’s professional clothing at bins located around campus. Among the items being collected are dress shirts, slacks, skirts, suits, ties, purses, belts, scarves and other items appropriate in a professional setting.

Temple President Ann Weaver Hart kicked off the initiative, contributing several bundles of clothing at the drive’s Sullivan Hall location. Collection containers are also located in Mitten Hall’s lower level; the Beasley School of Law; the Community Education and Entertainment Center, on Cecil B. Moore Avenue; and the Temple Administrative Services Building (TASB), at Hunting Park Ave.

Men’s clothing will be donated to the Philadelphia-based National Comprehensive Center for Fathers (NCCF). Headquartered in Center City, NCCF provides services that advance the social and economic well being of area fathers, including providing business attire for those seeking employment. The organization’s “Work ‘n’ Style” program dresses more than 2,000 men for professional opportunities each year.

Women’s donations will be provided to Dress for Success, an international not-for-profit organization that offers a similar service for disadvantaged women. The organization has provided clothing and other career development tools to more than 500,000 women worldwide since its founding in 1997.

By hosting the drive in May, organizers hope to receive donations from members of the Temple community who are changing out their wardrobes for the summer season. A similar drive last year collected about 250 suits, 300 ties and an assortment of other items.