Impressive Nonprofit Marks 40 Years Of ‘Delivering Good’ By The Billions To Kids And Families Who Need It Most

Impressive Nonprofit Marks 40 Years Of ‘Delivering Good’ By The Billions To Kids And Families Who Need It Most

An impressive nonprofit is marking its 40th anniversary, distributing billions of dollars of new merchandise from retailers to families in need.

Since its founding in 1985, Delivering Good has distributed more than $3 billion worth of clothing, toys, and other home goods to people affected by poverty, disaster, and other life challenges—all free of charge.

Today, they specialize in disaster relief, with distribution initiatives like the Basic Comforts Pack – a collection of essential new items to offer a first step toward comfort, normalcy, and hope.

It all started 40 years ago, when Kids In Distressed Situations (K.I.D.S. ) was founded by co-founders Karen Bromley, Barbara Toback, and Ezra Dabah. They asked nonprofits a straightforward question: Would you rather receive money or new product? The answer was unanimous: new product.

Karen, whose early years were spent in foster care, understood this deeply. For children in foster care, in shelters, or living in poverty, new clothing and toys were unheard of. Receiving something new—something chosen just for them—restored a sense of dignity and hope.

“I knew that giving a child a brand-new coat or a toy could make them feel special,” she recalled. “It could say, you matter.”

Two decades later, in 2005, the devastation of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita inspired industry leader Allan Ellinger to act. Watching the news, he realized that while telethons raised money, families needed immediate, tangible help.

“I was part of a community that had product—clothing, shoes, home goods,” Allan said. “I picked up the phone, called colleagues in the fashion industry, and within days, everyone said, ‘I’m in.’”

That effort grew into Fashion Delivers, which focused on mobilizing new product for adults impacted by disasters. In its first year, the organization shipped $6 million worth of brand-new goods to the Gulf Coast.

For years, the two organizations worked side by side but finally merged, united by a shared belief in the dignity of new product and the power of the industry to respond.

“Delivering Good has always been fueled by heart and passion—people in the industry coming together to make sure families in crisis get what they need most, and that they receive it with dignity.” said co-founder Karen Bromley.

What began as two grassroots efforts—one sparked by the needs of children in poverty, the other by a call to help disaster survivors—has become a national leader in product philanthropy.

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They’ve since responded to countless natural disasters, from Hurricane Helene to the CA Wildfires and beyond by partnering with thousands of brands, manufacturers, and retailers to funnel excess inventory out of landfills and into the hands of people who need them most.

And Delivering Good’s trusted community partners—local nonprofits that distribute the items—always know exactly where their products go.

“We started to solve a problem,” Allan said. “We never imagined we’d still be here 40 years later—more vibrant and needed than ever.”

“Our next chapter is about scale and innovation. We’re building on 40 years of experience to reach more people, respond faster to crises, and ensure that every excess product finds its way to someone who needs it, said Matthew Fasciano, the current President & CEO. “Our goal is to help improve 50 million lives in the coming years.”

It’s not just clothing. It’s a starting point: for healing after a disaster, for showing up at school or working with confidence, for beginning again when everything else has been lost. Visit their website to learn more or donate.

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