Compassion Threads, a pilot program from the Urban Compassion Project, operates out of a previously vacant store on Broadway in downtown Oakland, KTVU reported. Most of the clothing, shoes and accessories are brand new with tags still on; the rest are like-new. The nonprofit's website describes Compassion Threads as its free clothing initiative, alongside volunteer-led cleanups and weekly distributions of essential supplies.
“We've kind of built this almost community space with this free clothing store that's now activating downtown Oakland. The entire block is lit up when we are open,” Executive Director Supriya Golas told KTVU. She said the property owner offered the space rather than leaving it empty.
Where the clothes come from
The store is stocked mostly with excess inventory from companies that would otherwise throw it out. Golas told KTVU that one partner donated more than 20,000 pieces of clothing that had been sitting in a warehouse. The program has held almost 10 pop-up events and served about 750 people. Visitors can also meet with Bay Area Community Services staff about housing and mental health support.
How to go
Visitors sign up online for a shopping window. Golas said the store schedules visits two weeks at a time, and KTVU reported that the available dates at publication were Wednesday, Nov. 4, and Wednesday, Nov. 11. Openings depend on how much inventory the group has secured.