By STEVEN CALHOUN/Staff Writer

Throughout the month of March, the University of Montevallo will be accepting community donations for its second professional clothing drive.

UM Offices of Partnerships and Outreach, Service Learning, the Career Development Center and Phi Chi Theta business fraternity are hosting the drive.

Donations benefit UM students preparing for job interviews, internships or other instances requiring professional dress.

“It’s important that we can help them have at least that one outfit in their closet that they know they can pull out, feel confident in and be able to go to their interview,” Office of Partnerships and Outreach director Kelli Holmes said. “It’s already stressful to have an interview … that’s one less thing you have to worry about, is knowing that you have an outfit you feel confident in.”

Holmes said the university will help students pick out an outfit, conduct mock interviews and review their resumes during Dress for Success on April 13.

“There’s always a need among students in that age range,” Holmes said. “Mainly because it’s not something you think about at that age and in order to get a nice suit, it costs money. We just want to be able to help the students and say ‘this is one thing we can give you to be successful.’”

The University’s first professional clothing drive was held in August of last year.

Roughly 40 individuals offered donations, resulting in 76 students walking away with professional clothing.

Donations will be accepted through March 31. Donation requests include men’s ties, shirts, jackets, slacks, belts and shoes and women’s shirts, jackets, slacks, skirts, dresses and shoes. All sizes are accepted.

Donors can drop off items Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the Global Community and Outreach Building (GLOCO) at 845 Valley Street in Montevallo or schedule a pickup by emailing Holmes at kholmes4@montevallo.edu.