STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Balfurd Cleaners collected more than 500 professional garments by a June 30 deadline for its first EmpowerWear donation campaign, with about 100 more expected from route customers in the days that followed.

The Central Pennsylvania cleaner ran the month-long drive in partnership with the Penn State Professional Attire Closet (PAC), a division of Penn State Career Services. The two organizations estimate the campaign will ultimately provide about 600 pieces of professional apparel to students preparing for internships, career fairs and job interviews.

“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,” says Monika Manter, owner of Balfurd Cleaners. “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.”

Customers donated men’s and women’s professional attire through Balfurd’s retail stores and its home delivery service throughout June.

EmpowerWear was created by America’s Best Cleaners (ABC) in 2023 and connects gently worn professional attire with local charities and career development organizations. Balfurd, a CoutureCare Certified ABC affiliate that has served Central Pennsylvania since 1927, joins Owl Cleaners, Platinum Cleaners and Fox Cleaners among the ABC affiliates that have run EmpowerWear campaigns.

PAC has asked Balfurd to repeat the campaign each June, timing future donations to land before the university’s fall recruiting and career fair season.

Christopher White, executive director of ABC, says the campaign reflects the reach individual cleaners can have in their communities.

“Every garment donated represents more than clothing — it represents confidence, opportunity, dignity and a chance for someone to begin the next chapter of their life with pride,” White says. “At the same time, these garments are diverted from landfills and kept in use exactly as they were intended.”