Back in 2002, 4 classmates from St Aloysius in Mangaluru started a ‘clothes bank’ on the streets for the poor. Students from various schools used to give away their old clothes, which were collected by the 4 of them and distributed for free to the needy. However, the initiative came to a halt after all of them finished their studies and went off to pursue their careers.
According to a report by TOI, the 4 friends – Vinod Prem Lobo, Melisha Noronha, Nitin Kumar and Vignesh – have reunited and restarted the initiative in a bigger way. They have opened Imagine Clothes Bank in Bengaluru where the poor and needy can drop by and buy clothes for Re 1. The shop is open on Sundays only, as of now.
The clothes bank is located in Lava Kusha Layout in Beratena Agrahara, Electronics City. They have stocked all kinds of clothes including sarees, pants, shirts, jackets, etc. There are two staff members who arrange the clothes as per size, age, and type. As many as 150 families visit the bank every week!
Most of the clothes are as good as new. The money which is collected due to sales is again used as education and medical funds for the needy. The clothes are donated by their friends, families, and people from various apartment complexes. They also store blankets and curtains.
What a wonderful initiative!
Cover pictures source: TOI.