Helping Students Go Back-to-School with Confidence Through the Gift of Underwear This August
As families gear up for the back-to-school season, most parents focus on pencils, notebooks, and lunchboxes.
But for many families facing financial hardship, one everyday essential is often missing from that list: underwear.
At The Bra Recyclers, our mission began with recycling bras to support women in need.
Over time, we’ve grown to serve entire families more broadly, which is why we created The Undie Chest, our nonprofit arm focused on providing new underwear to children and caregivers who need it most.
This August, as part of our ongoing commitment, we’re working together to help students return to school with confidence, starting with what’s underneath.
Why Underwear Matters More Than You Think
Underwear is a basic necessity that many of us take for granted.
But for students living in poverty, having clean, well-fitting underwear is not guaranteed, and that absence can have profound effects.
A 2022 study found that more than half of low-income families have sent their children to school without socks or underwear simply because they couldn’t afford enough to last the week.
Without this basic item, students can face:
Skipping school due to embarrassment or discomfort
Difficulty concentrating because of physical discomfort
Avoiding physical activities like PE or sports
Lowered self-esteem and social isolation
Increased risk of bullying and exclusion
The Ripple Effect of Confidence and Comfort
When students feel comfortable and confident, they’re more likely to attend school, engage fully, and succeed academically.
Supporting caregivers with essentials for themselves and their children strengthens families as a whole.
Through our Everyone Deserves Underwear (EDU) program managed by The Undie Chest, we provide:
New underwear for students ages 8 to 18
Gently used bras and adult underwear for caregivers
Partnerships with Title 1 schools to ensure fair access and community connection
By restoring dignity to students, we’re helping to build a foundation for learning, relationships, and brighter futures.
One Week Without Coffee = One Week of Underwear
A pack of underwear may seem small, but to a child living in poverty, it can mean the difference between staying home and walking into class with pride.
💡 Just $15 provides a full week’s worth of clean underwear for one student.
Our Goal & How You Can Help
This year, our goal is to collect 5,000 pairs of underwear and raise $10,000 to support students and families through the EDU program.
Thanks to our community, we’ve helped thousands of students across Arizona start school with dignity and confidence.
But the need continues, and with your help, we can reach even more families this August.
You can get involved by:
Donating new, packaged underwear for kids aged 8–18
Donate gently used bras and adult underwear for caregivers
Hosting your own Undie Drive at work, school, or in your store
Purchasing items from our Amazon Wishlist
Sharing this message to spread awareness
Want to Get Involved?
Learn more about our Back-to-School Undie Drive happening August 1–31, 2025, on our events page.
For questions or to request our social media toolkit with flyers and graphics, email us at contactus@undiechest.org.
