BALTIMORE (WMAR) — "It's uplifting and it's a very warm experience. It makes you feel better," James Davis said.
"I feel like a new man. You can't get better than this," George Beasley said.
Hundreds of suits are up for grabs Wednesday for Sharp Dressed Man's Annual Holiday giveaway. As of 2 p.m., they had already given out 175 suits!
"Right now, I'm poor and I'm having a rough time," Wayne Morris said. "So I'm gonna get me a suit and go on some job interviews."
Usually a referral to get a free suit is required. But this time, it's no questions asked. Anyone who shows up gets what they need.
"For the gentlemen to come down and get fitted for a suit, it's like starting your life over again. It's a great feeling," Beasley said.
READ MORE: Men get outfitted in new suits thanks to Sharp Dressed Man
Dozens of volunteers help each man one on one.
"I'm someone that himself didn't dress very well until pretty recently and I know how transformative that can be," volunteer Cole Grinnell said. "I want to have someone else have that same feeling."
They also have free food, free hair cuts and the city's Mobile Workforce Center is there to help people apply for jobs.
"When I started cutting hair, I was in a place of need and people gave to me so I look at this as another way to pay it forward," barber Jason Tull said.
"You just don't have stuff like this happening nowadays and it's a blessing," Morris said.
A blessing coming at just the right time.
"A lot of people don't have as much money to spend because it's the holidays, you know, gifts, bills," Corey Williams said. "So anywhere a dollar or two can be saved, I'm definitely grateful."
"It's a special time of year and I feel special today," Bruce White said.
Founder Christopher Schafer has kept it going for 4 years and says the bottom line is about showing that people care.
"A lot of these guys are down on their luck so giving them a chance of seeing that there's good people that are doing good things is really powerful too," Schafer said.
The giveaway was from 9-5 p.m. at their shop in Old Town Mall.
The nonprofit helps prepare men for job interviews, but the suits can be used for anything. They are usually open Wednesday's at noon and they are looking to expand. Schafer is looking to hire a part time executive director with some prior experience in leadership. Contact him at info@sharpdressedman.org.
