Fueling Confidence with Fitting Futures
A Conversation with Kelly Lauer and 55+
As temperatures drop, many Lincoln children lack warm winter clothes to choose from. Fitting Futures (formerly The White Cane Foundation) meets those needs and more. Since 2019, this Lincoln-based nonprofit has been providing basics, such as two brand-new, head-to-toe outfits and hygiene kits, to help our city’s highest-need, elementary school students. Their mission is simple but powerful: to give every child the dignity and confidence to succeed.
Last year alone, Fitting Futures distributed over 5,000 new outfits to Lincoln kids—and winter is the season when their impact matters most. We caught up with Co-founder Kelly Lauer to see how Fitting Futures is helping Community Learning Centers at elementary schools in Lincoln.
Q: What inspired you to start Fitting Futures?
Kelly: I had just turned 60, and all four of our kids had moved away. My husband, Dave, and I went on a trip to St. Louis, where a friend told us about a group giving brand-new clothing to students in need. It struck a chord; I thought we could do the same thing in Lincoln as we know families are struggling here. We came home, talked to Belmont Elementary, and started small. Today, we are serving all 19 Title I elementary schools in Lincoln.
Q: What do the kids receive and what’s the experience like?
Kelly: Each student is identified by the school, and we work with an LPS liaison. The student, one of our volunteers, and the LPS liaison meet at a space provided by each school. The students try on clothes and leave with a Bundle of Joy: two brand-new outfits, socks, underwear, shoes, and a hygiene kit with essentials like body wash, deodorant, and a toothbrush and toothpaste. For some, it’s their first time owning anything with tags on it. Though it’s just a 20-minute session, students walk away with fresh confidence and a real sense of being cared for.
Q: Why is this work so important?
Kelly: These kids face daily challenges most people don’t see. Their families are often choosing between rent and food, and some basic necessities just aren’t in the budget. When a child walks into school in clean, well-fitting clothes, it changes how they see themselves—and how others see them. It creates a sense of dignity and belonging.
We want them to walk into the classroom with confidence, not worrying about what they’re wearing or whether they’ll be teased. That feeling of being seen, of being worthy of new clothes, makes an impact that can’t be measured in dollars. It sets the tone for how they show up in the world.
Q: Can you share a moment that really moved you?
Kelly: One older boy came in with his siblings, as he was helping out his mom, who worked three jobs. He stayed almost stoic as his brothers and sisters picked out clothes, quietly making sure everyone was set. But as they walked toward the door, he sprinted back, wrapped me in a hug, and whispered, “I can’t wait to see my mom’s face when she sees all these clothes.” In that moment, you could see how much he cared and how important it was for him that his siblings were able to have brand-new clothes.
Q: How can our readers get involved?
Kelly: There are three great ways—volunteer, organize a hygiene drive, or donate. For those who donate, we make every dollar count. For example, a $100 gift covers a complete outfit for two students.
Volunteers can help in our inventory space, assist kids during fittings, or even deliver items. Some volunteers come in weekly, others monthly—whatever fits your life. We also train volunteers who want to visit schools. We always have a trusted LPS liaison present. Therefore, no background check is required.
We also encourage civic groups, churches, book clubs, and other groups to host hygiene kit drives. Each child takes one hygiene kit home, and families truly appreciate them. Whether it’s your time, your resources, or your voice, you can make a lasting difference.
For more information and to learn how you can support Fitting Futures, visit fittingfutures.org.