Clean out your closets and donate those used suits

The State Bar’s Litigation Section, in association with The Men’s Wearhouse, will hold its sixth annual statewide clothing drive next month. Donated business attire for both men and women will be given to Working Wardrobes for a New Start, an Orange County non-profit organization that helps adults in crisis return to the workforce.

Donors may drop gently used business suits, as well as shirts, ties, belts and shoes, at any Men’s Wearhouse in California. The clothing should be clean and in good condition. Donations are tax deductible and donors also receive a 10 percent discount on a subsequent regularly priced Men’s Wearhouse purchase.

The Litigation Section program, called “Law Suits,” began in 2002 with a collection of about 400 outfits. Last year, the effort grew to more than 3,000.

Working Wardrobes sponsors year-round programs for men and women and it holds two annual “Days of Self-Esteem” that doubles as a job fair and self-improvement event that offers massages, haircuts and manicures to compliment the new look. The men’s program will be held April 28; the women’s Sept. 16.

The Men’s Wearhouse, which has partnered with Working Wardrobes for 10 years, also donates a half million dollars of inkind merchandise to the program in addition to more than $250,000 in financial support in recent years.

To locate the nearest Men’s Wearhouse, call 1-800-776-7848.