Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Allen.
Hi Lisa, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My story with Angel Clothing Foundation begins with watching my mom, Laura Ojeda Dellutri, turn personal loss into purposeful community service. Growing up in a single-parent household with seven siblings, Mom understood what it meant to go without basic necessities. That experience shaped her heart for serving others.
In 2019, Mom lost her beloved sister Donna, who courageously battled addiction and mental illness throughout her life. But, Donna never lost her compassion for others facing hardship. She dreamed of opening a free clothing store for people who couldn’t even afford thrift shop prices.
After Donna’s passing, Mom channeled her grief into action, founding Angel Clothing Foundation, a faith-based 501c3 nonprofit. We provide completely free clothing from our boutique location through an experience that treats every person with dignity and respect.
In May 2025, Mom passed away after a long illness. She was the heart and soul of Angel Clothing Foundation. In her honor, my siblings Auburn, Anthony, and I stepped into leadership roles on the board. It’s been a journey of learning to lead while grieving, but we’re determined to continue the mission and keep serving the Kansas City community.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Suddenly finding ourselves responsible for continuing the vital mission of Angel Clothing while processing the grief of our mother has been challenging.
But it’s also strengthened our commitment to serving God’s people.
We’ve faced ongoing struggles that many nonprofits encounter. The cost of clothing continues to rise—even at thrift stores—which means more families need our services while it becomes harder to source inventory and funds. We’re working to build partnerships with retailers, organize donation drives, and engage the community in our mission.
Our biggest challenge now is financial sustainability. We had personal investors and founder resources that supported the foundation initially. Today, we’re a completely free service with a physical location, operating on a community-based funding model. We’re learning to navigate fundraising, grant applications, and building new donor relationships while keeping our doors open and maintaining our high standards of service.
Although the transition has been emotionally and logistically challenging, our volunteers and supporters have been absolutely incredible. They’ve helped us keep the doors open, and we continue to find our footing as leaders while staying focused on our core mission of serving those in need with dignity and love.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Angel Clothing Foundation is a faith-based 501c3 nonprofit organization serving Johnson, Jackson, Wyandotte, and Miami Counties, as well as the greater Kansas City metro area in both Kansas and Missouri.
We provide completely free clothing to people in need while inspiring them to see and love themselves as God does.
Clothing insecurity is one of the most overlooked basic needs in our community. While food pantries help fill kitchen tables, families still struggle to afford clothing for work, school, and everyday life. We fill that gap by providing professional attire for job interviews, school clothes for children, and warm winter gear for the elderly.
What sets us apart is our boutique approach. Our clients browse through carefully curated and displayed clothing just like they would at any retail store, choosing items that make them feel confident and valued.
We’re not just providing clothes—we’re providing hope, confidence, and a reminder that everyone in our community matters.
As we establish our leadership under this new structure, we’re focused on expanding our partnerships and sustainable funding to serve even more families across the Kansas City metro area while maintaining the personalized, dignified experience that defines Angel Clothing Foundation.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
There are several meaningful ways the Kansas City community can support fellow residents through Angel Clothing Foundation:
Sponsorships: Our biggest need right now is establishing sustainable funding sources. Since we’re a completely free service we’re actively seeking grants, major donors, and recurring supporters who believe in our mission.
Partnerships: We’re always looking to expand and build relationships with retailers, other nonprofits, churches, schools, businesses, and community organizations. Whether it’s hosting clothing drives, referring clients, or collaborating on events, partnerships help us reach more people in need.
Donations: We accept adult and children’s clothing (infant through 3XL), clean and gently used socks and bras, new underwear, shoes and boots in good condition, as well as accessories.
Volunteering: We rely on a team of volunteers to help sort donations, organize clothing, assist clients, and maintain our boutique atmosphere. It’s a wonderful way to directly impact lives in our community.
Pricing:
- All clothing is completely free – no income verification required. Our services are funded entirely through donations and grants – we never charge clients for anything.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.angelclothingfoundation.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AngelClothingFoundation
Image Credits
Personal photo from left to right: Lisa, Laura, Auburn, and Anthony in 2023. Image credit: Evelyn Molina Photography
