Back to School with Confidence: Supporting Students in Title 1 Schools This August
As families prepare for the back-to-school rush, most parents are focused on school supplies, new shoes, and lunchboxes. But, for many families experiencing financial hardship, there’s a basic item missing from that list: underwear.
At The Undie Chest, we believe that every student deserves to return to school with dignity, comfort, and confidence. Through our annual Back to School Undie Drive, we work to close a quiet but critical gap in student wellbeing — one pair at a time.
This year’s theme is Back to School with Confidence, a theme that underlies the importance of underwear in helping students focus on their studies, instead of worrying about what’s underneath.
Why is Underwear Often Overlooked?
Underwear isn’t something most of us think twice about.
But for students living in poverty, having clean, well-fitting underwear is not a given, and the impact of that goes far deeper than discomfort.
A 2022 study found that more than 50% of low-income families have sent their children to school without socks or underwear because they simply couldn’t afford enough to get through the week.
When a child doesn’t have access to this basic item, it can affect:
School attendance (students may skip school altogether)
Focus in class (discomfort makes it hard to concentrate)
Participation in sports or PE
Self-esteem and social connection
Bullying and exclusion
The Ripple Effect into Society
When students are comfortable and confident, they’re more likely to show up, engage, and succeed in the classroom.
And when caregivers are supported with essentials for their children and themselves, the whole family benefits.
This is why our Everyone Deserves Underwear (EDU) program includes:
New underwear for students aged 8–18
Gently used bras and adult items for caregivers
Partnerships with Title 1 schools to ensure equitable distribution and community connection
Because restoring dignity for one student ripples outward to their learning, their relationships, and ultimately their future.
One Week Without Coffee = One Week of Underwear
A pack of underwear might seem like a small thing, but to a child navigating poverty, it can mean the difference between staying home or walking into class with confidence.
💡 Just $15 can provide a student with a full school week’s worth of clean underwear — a small cost with a huge impact.
Our Goal
This year, we aim to collect 5,000 pairs of undies and raise $10,000 to support students in need. These contributions will help us provide essential undergarments and support services through our EDU program.
Our Community Can Make This Happen
With your support, we’ve helped thousands of students across Arizona reclaim confidence and comfort during one of the most important moments of the year.
But there are always more families in need — and more opportunities to help.
This August, we invite you to be part of that impact.
Whether you give financially, share our story, or rally your community, you’ll be helping us do something that shouldn’t be radical — ensuring every student has what they need to succeed and thrive.
📍 Want to get involved or host your own Undie Drive?
Learn more about our Back-to-School Undie Drive on our events page, taking place from August 1 to 31, 2025, for details and resources.
📧 Questions? Contact us at contactus@undiechest.org
… And most importantly, help us spread the word about the Back to School Undie Drive by sharing the event's information with friends, family, and colleagues!
To request access to our social media toolkit for graphics and flyers, please get in touch at contactus@undiechest.org.