Two Frisco residents who are Liberty High School students, Eli Kim and Amit Jennings, turned a simple idea into a powerful movement of compassion and community service. Together, they founded Wear It Forward, a student-led nonprofit that has donated more than 6,000 clothing item — valued at more than $90,000 — to The Storehouse Community Center in less than a year, providing essential support to local families in need.
“We know that everyone has clothes they no longer need, but many people don’t donate because it’s inconvenient,” says Eli, co-founder. “We are working to remove the barriers and create a system that makes giving back easy, fast and meaningful.”
What began in early 2025 with a few front-porch pickups has grown into a multischool operation spanning Frisco, McKinney, Allen and Plano. Today, Wear It Forward boasts two chapters, a team of 15-plus student volunteers and active partnerships with seven high schools and three elementary or middle schools.
The organization’s model is both simple and impactful: make donating clothes easier by offering home pickups, collecting unclaimed items from lost and found closets at schools and organizing donation drives.
On Sept. 2, the student founders delivered 750 clothing items to Joseph’s Coat, The Storehouse’s clothing closet. Through this program, neighbors in need once a month can make an appointment on Mondays and Wednesdays to "shop" for clothing and shoes at no cost, choosing items for themselves and their families.
Last fiscal year, Joseph's Coat distributed 130,583 articles of clothing, a significant increase from 90,325 in the previous fiscal year. All clothing is provided through community donations.
The students have put in hundreds of volunteer hours, leading National Honor Society drives, managing social media, designing and posting flyers and promoting their cause across the community. With plans to expand into Carrollton and Richardson, their vision is to scale their efforts and continue empowering young people to lead with purpose.
“The overwhelming support we’ve received from the community has far exceeded anything we imagined,” adds Amit, co-founder. “It’s been incredibly meaningful to know that we’re helping people through difficult times, offering not just clothing, but warmth and hope to our neighbors in need.”
Candace Winslow, CEO of The Storehouse Community Center (formerly The Storehouse of Collin County), says the generosity and leadership shown by the students behind Wear It Forward have made a tremendous difference in the lives of the families they serve. “Their commitment to meeting a basic, yet often overlooked, need has helped restore dignity and confidence to so many in our community. We're proud to partner with such inspiring young leaders who are proving that age is no barrier to making a meaningful impact."
Candace says TSCC works to address the root causes of food insecurity and empower neighbors to achieve self-sufficiency.
In addition to a clothing closet, The Storehouse’s pathway of programs serves neighbors holistically, and includes a food pantry, a resource referral program and an education program that offers job, language and life skills training. This pathway culminates in a job partnership program connecting neighbors with stable, high-quality employment opportunities. Presently, The Storehouse serves approximately 5,000 families per month.
Community members can support Wear It Forward by donating gently used clothing. To schedule a pickup, visit their Instagram page at @wear_itforward or email wearitforward733@gmail.com.
469.385.1813
TheStorehouseCC.org