When a New Pair of Shoes or Clothing Means So Much More: How Delivering Good Is Helping Families Rebuild With Dignity

As moms, we know how something as simple as a fresh outfit or a favorite pair of shoes can make our kids light up. We’ve seen how much pride they take in picking the “cool” backpack or how they walk taller in sneakers that fit just right. But for many families, especially those facing poverty or the aftermath of a disaster, these everyday items aren’t so easy to come by.

That’s where Delivering Good steps in and their impact is as heartwarming as it is practical. Since 1985, this nonprofit has connected families in crisis with brand-new essentials: clothing, shoes, bedding, baby gear, school supplies, and more. Through a vast network of retailers, manufacturers, and local community groups, Delivering Good makes sure that surplus items don’t go to waste. They go to people who truly need them.

Dignity in Every Donation
The difference? Everything they distribute is new. Not secondhand, not worn, not someone’s leftovers. This matters a lot. When you’re rebuilding your life after a wildfire, escaping domestic violence, or trying to give your kids stability in the middle of financial hardship, receiving something new can feel like being seen.

One mom shared that receiving a new coat through Delivering Good helped her daughter walk into school with confidence for the first time in weeks. Another story tells of a teenager who received a backpack and, for the first time, looked forward to going back to class. These moments are about hope, confidence, and the ability to move forward.

How It Works — And Why It Works
Delivering Good partners with major brands and retailers to reroute excess inventory to families who need it most. Then, with help from a network of community partners including schools, shelters, nonprofits, and local programs. They ensure the items reach the right hands, with care and dignity.

That means:

• New baby clothes for a mom in a shelter
• Warm blankets for families displaced by floods
• Shoes that help someone walk into a job interview with confidence
• Pajamas that bring comfort to a child who just lost their home
  

It’s practical. It’s thoughtful. And it’s making a difference every single day.

What Happens When 250 Women with Purpose Come Together?

You get stories that move you, ideas that empower you, and a clear reminder that giving back is one of the most powerful things we can teach our kids. That was the energy at the 2025 Women of Impact Summit, hosted by Delivering Good on June 4 at New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology. Nearly 250 leaders in fashion, beauty, business, tech, finance, and wellness came together to lift each other up and push for meaningful change. 

One of the most inspiring moments came during the fireside chat between Emily Hikade, founder of luxury pajama brand Petite Plume, and Cate Luzio, the powerhouse behind Luminary. Hikade shared how she left behind a career as an undercover CIA agent (yes, for real!) to launch a business that now sells in 600+ stores.

And their call to action was simple and beautiful. Board Chair Andrea Weiss made a personal $5,000 donation in honor of her mother and invited others to do the same: “We all have someone who helped us get here. Let’s honor them by helping someone else.”

From One Mom to Another
As moms, we know it takes a village. Delivering Good is one of those rare organizations that quietly shows up to fill the gaps with thoughtfulness, empathy, and real support. Because sometimes, a warm hoodie, a new backpack, or a perfectly sized pair of shoes can be the beginning of something better.