Bread Financial®, ROX and Maurices team up to empower girls, one outfit at a time
Bread Financial®’s Columbus, Ohio, headquarters was recently transformed into a hub of generosity, teamwork and community impact. In partnership with non-profit partner Ruling Our eXperiences (ROX) and brand partner Maurices, associates and area volunteers came together for a powerful cause—empowering young girls by providing a basic yet essential need: clothing.
Over the course of two months, nearly 300 volunteers from Bread Financial and ROX dedicated more than 665 hours to sort, pack and distribute approximately 75,000 brand-new pieces of clothing donated by Maurices. The items were distributed to ROX facilitators, area educators and girl-serving non-profits in need during a three-day drive.
“Bread Financial had an opportunity to bring together two partners who share many of our values, and we knew it would make an even bigger impact if we worked together,” said Vanessa Yahner, senior manager of sustainability and community relations, Bread Financial. “Opportunities like these are really the best part of my job - the things that we didn’t plan for, but that we can come together and say ‘yes’ to for our community.”
Opportunities like these are really the best part of my job - the things that we didn’t plan for, but that we can come together and say ‘yes’ to for our community.”
Vanessa Yahner -Senior Manager of Sustainability and Community Relations, Bread Financial
Maurices, a leading women’s fashion brand that celebrates feel-good fashion for real life, has long been known for its positive message and trusted service — values that strongly align with both ROX and Bread Financial.
“We hope to inspire and lift up more young girls,” said Sue Ross, chief administrative officer, Maurices. “Young girls are our future, and we’re proud to help create a movement of empowerment. This donation is key to spreading the positive message that’s core to Maurices and ROX.”
At the heart of the event was ROX, the national nonprofit authority on girls. ROX has been creating generations of confident girls since 2011, and this school year alone, the research-based ROX Program for Girls was in nearly 600 schools across 44 states. ROX is empowering girls to rule their own relationships, experiences, decisions and futures. So, when the opportunity came to connect Maurices' generous donation with girls in need, ROX was ready to act.
“We are so lucky to have been approached by Maurices through their relationship with Bread Financial,” said Dr. Lisa Hinkelman, founder and chief executive officer, ROX. “This opportunity has put 75,000 pieces of clothing into the hands of girls in central Ohio and will allow them to feel proud of how they look while supporting a basic need. This is just another meaningful and tangible example of how Bread Financial makes connections and gives ROX opportunities to shine in ways that are substantial for the girls we serve.”
The clothing drive also shined a light on the level of need within the community.
“ROX has been a key participant in connecting Maurices and the distribution of those goods to schools and girls who are in need,” said Val Greer, a ROX board member and executive vice president and chief commercial officer at Bread Financial. “The demand was overwhelming; it’s a real eye-opener to the need that’s out there in our community.”
This event is one of many ways Bread Financial continues to demonstrate its commitment to investing in the well-being of the communities it serves. Through teamwork, compassion and shared values, associates at Bread Financial played a central role in turning a generous offer into a meaningful reality.
And while the boxes of clothes may be gone from the office, the ripple effect of kindness, empowerment and collaboration will continue — one girl and one outfit at a time.
About Ruling Our eXperiences, Inc. (ROX)
ROX is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization headquartered in Columbus, Ohio and is the national authority on research, education and programming centered on girls. ROX puts data into action to create generations of confident girls who control their own relationships, experiences, decisions, and futures. ROX delivers school-based programs in 500+ schools across 30 states and operates the ROX Institute for Research and Training.
About Maurices
Maurices is a leading women’s fashion brand offering size-inclusive clothing that celebrates feel-good fashion for real life™. Offering versatile, affordable styles that take her from day to night, Maurices is a destination for denim, knit tops, loungewear, intimates, and accessories, along with dressy collections. Known for its fun and friendly service and trusted stylists, Maurices offers a warm welcoming experience in stores and is guided by its greater purpose of making a positive difference in the lives of women who are the heart of its hometowns. Maurices operates nearly 900 stores in hometowns across the U.S. and Canada and offers even more to love at maurices.com with additional categories, sizes, and colors. For more information, please visit www.maurices.com.
About Bread Financial®
Bread Financial® (NYSE: BFH) is a tech-forward financial services company that provides simple, personalized payment, lending and saving solutions to millions of U.S. consumers. Our payment solutions, including Bread Financial general purpose credit cards and savings products, empower our customers and their passions for a better life. Additionally, we deliver growth for some of the most recognized brands in travel & entertainment, health & beauty, jewelry and specialty apparel through our private label and co-brand credit cards and pay-over-time products providing choice and value to our shared customers.
To learn more about Bread Financial, our global associates and our sustainability commitments, visit breadfinancial.com or follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn.
