Clothing insecurity is affecting children in Bucks County in ways many people never see. On this episode of Bucks Co Living, I sat down with my friend Lisa Tordo of National Giving Alliance, a Bucks County nonprofit that gives new clothing to children and youth. She explained why something as simple as the right clothes can help a child feel valued, show up at school, and take part.
Quick takeaway: A child who is embarrassed by what they wear may avoid school. New clothes can help them feel seen, valued, and ready to participate.
Who Is Lisa Tordo? From Communications to Nonprofit Leadership
Lisa Tordo, executive director of National Giving Alliance, grew up in Connecticut and moved to Bucks County in 1999 with her husband and two children. Her third child was born here. She and I have known each other for years from community work.
She did not start in nonprofits. She studied communications, including advertising, journalism, and public relations, and worked in PR. She says you often need to earn first, so you have security, before you can give back. Those skills now help her tell the mission clearly, plan strategically, and manage a budget.
She joined the organization in 2017. At the time, she was its only employee, so she relied on herself, volunteers, her board, and her family.
What Clothing Insecurity Means for a Child at School
I asked National Giving Alliance executive director Lisa Tordo what she wants people to understand about clothing insecurity. Her answer was clear.
"So, with clothing insecurity, I want them to understand that kids who don't have new clothes to go to school, they're going to avoid it. They're not going to want to be there. They don't want to be seen. They're going to kind of hide. They're not going to give their all when they're in class. They don't participate. They will not participate in activities. And unfortunately, they're seven times more likely to drop out of high school, which has significant consequences for the community, for society. It has an effect on employment, has an effect on whether they get an internship or an apprenticeship or going on for higher education. And then the poverty cycle repeats itself."
When kids get new clothes and stay in school, she says, many go on to apprenticeships, internships, or higher education. Then they go back to help their communities.
Bucks County Children in Poverty: The Hardship Behind a Wealthy Reputation
Many people think of Bucks County as affluent, and that is why this hit me. Lisa says about 36,000 families here are at or below the poverty line. Bucks County children in poverty go to school with classmates whose families do not worry about money. That can make it feel even harder than being in a school where everyone is struggling.
Lisa also pushed back on a common myth. People often assume these families are lazy or do not work. She says many do work, but at low-income jobs. After rent, utilities, and food, clothing falls to the bottom of the list.
NGA serves children in districts including Central Bucks, Pennsbury, and Council Rock, along with surrounding areas. She says children without the clothes they need miss about 12 more days of school than their peers.
Why National Giving Alliance Gives New Clothes for Kids
NGA was founded in 1885 in Philadelphia as the Needlework Guild of America. Volunteers made sturdy clothing for families in need. The organization became the National Giving Alliance in 2019 and kept the same initials. Its national headquarters is in Warminster, and it has 12 branches across seven states.
Lisa says the commitment to new clothes for kids goes back to the founder. Her reasons are practical and emotional.
"They last longer. Sometimes used clothes can have, you know how a sweater or a fleece will peel after it's been washed several times? So it looks used, or clothes can have holes in them or missing a button or something like that. When the kids get new clothes, they feel valued. They feel like, wow, I'm worth something. It gives them self-confidence. It gives them self-esteem. They feel really proud of themselves. And so when we give clothes, we're giving them a whole week's worth of clothes."
Laundry is another hurdle. Many of these kids live in transitional or temporary housing, or in foster care, so washing clothes is not always easy.
How School Social Workers Connect Children With Clothing
NGA does not find children on its own. It works with school social workers and student services, which know which families are at or below the poverty line and which children receive free or reduced lunch. Social workers do home visits and track attendance.
Here is how a request moves:
Student services identifies a need.
A social worker contacts NGA.
The school shares details, including the child's age, grade, gender, size, and what they need.
NGA fills the order, tailored to the season.
Lisa says social workers are short-staffed, so NGA tries to make the process easy. The match matters too. An elementary student who needs adult-size clothes should still look like a kid in clothes that fit. That helps build self-esteem.
How NGA Is Funded: Partners, Donors, and a Yearly Gala
NGA partners with brands, including Bombas for socks, and with distributors who offer seasonal leftovers. Those donations do not always match what kids need, so NGA also buys clothing. It raises money from foundations, corporations, individuals, and fundraising. It receives no government support.
It holds one fundraiser a year, a nonprofit fundraising gala that combines three efforts in one:
A sit-down dinner with a live band and a photo booth.
A silent auction.
A golden ticket vacation raffle, with four trips and tickets capped at 250.
Lisa's goal this year is to net $75,000. I told her I would help spread the word. She also says she wants to help more kids.
"I'd like to see the numbers level off. I'd like to be able to help more kids, because right now we can't help everyone because we just don't have the funds. And I would like the kids to feel good about what they are receiving from us. I'd like them to know that there are other people out there that care about them, that see the value in them and see the potential of what they will bring to the future. I want them to feel good about themselves."
Lisa's Five-Year Community Effort Before NGA
I also had to mention the work Lisa did before NGA. She led a five-year community effort against a proposed waste-processing project in our area. She says it began when her son showed her a news article. Then she researched it, formed a plan with a friend, and used Halloween to spread the word by handing parents a copy of the article along with candy.
She says the community rallied, with neighbors and environmental groups contributing, and the effort paid off through persistence. I thank her for it. It also shows how she organizes people.
How to Help National Giving Alliance
Lisa says she cannot do this alone. Here are ways to help:
Share NGA's story, especially the point about giving new clothes.
Attend the gala or enter the vacation raffle.
Call the office. She says she will take your call and sign you up.
Frequently Asked Questions About Clothing Insecurity
What is clothing insecurity and how does it affect children?
It means not having adequate clothing for everyday life. It can affect confidence, school participation, and whether a child feels comfortable being seen.
What happens after a school identifies a child who needs clothing?
School staff share the child's age, grade, size, and seasonal needs so NGA can fill an order that fits.
Why does NGA provide new clothes instead of used clothes?
New clothes are more durable and avoid visible wear. They can also help children feel valued and confident.
How does NGA make sure the clothes are appropriate?
It considers age, grade, size, and season so the clothing fits and feels age-appropriate.
Connect With Lisa Tordo and Anthony Paul Pinto
Visit National Giving Alliance or find Lisa on LinkedIn. For more Bucks County conversations, visit Bucks Co Living or find me on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Thank you to Lisa Tordo of National Giving Alliance for the work she does.
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