National Suit Drive Helping Unemployed Men Dress for Success

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- How you look can make or break a job interview. But what if you don't have the money for the outfit?

Men's Wearhouse has kicked off its fifth annual National Suit Drive to help disadvantaged, unemployed men re-enter the workforce.

About 900 stores across the country are taking part, including the Springfield location. They're hoping to collect more than 110,000 professional, gently-used suits to donate to the community.

The suits will be handed out to about 200 non-profit organizations around the country to give men the extra step toward employment.

"One of our employees in Houston got some assistance coming through one of these programs, trying to get back into the workplace," says Steven Hankins, Assistant Store Manager in Springfield. "[He] thought it was a great thing. When he got hired by Men's Wearhouse and became a little higher up the ladder, he thought it would be a great way to help other people and implemented it. We love it. Anything we can do to help out."

Men's Wearhouse says actress Amanda Seyfriend, actor/producer Tyler Perry, actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson, and actor John Larroquette all helped out at the National Suite Drive booth at the Tony Award's Backstage Creations Celebrity Retreat.

If you'd like to help, make a donation at the Springfield location at 1724 East Battlefield, Plot 6. You can drop off suits, shirts, jackets, ties, belts, and shoes. Women's items will also be accepted.

Local donations will be shipped to Kansas City for distribution. The drive runs through the end of July 2012.

You can also check out the company's Facebook page.