Wednesday 30 June 2021

Imagine Clothes Bank - All you need to know!

 “You may say I'm a dreamer

But I'm not the only one

I hope someday you'll join us

And the world will live as one”

-         - Lyrics from Imagine by the legendary John Lennon.

The Idea

Imagine a swanky showroom where anyone in need can walk in and pick clothes of their choice. It's a place where hand-me-downs find new meaning; where everyone has the privilege to choose; where the poor receive with pride and where dignity thrives. This is the clothes bank we imagine.

Excited? This beautiful idea is the brain child of Asma and the Late Ajit Hari who believed in helping anyone in need and making good clothing accessible to all. This was one of their many projects that have found a place in our hearts and its our turn to take it on.

How does the clothes bank work?

The Imagine Clothes Bank, based in Electronics City, helps in fulfilling the basic necessity of good clothing for anyone in need. Clothes collection drives are held in different parts of the city to facilitate the donation of used clothing in good condition worthy of a second use. A thorough segregation and inspection ensures that only clothing in the right condition finds its place into the bank.

The clothes are then made available every Sunday. There is no restriction of religion, age, sex, language here, there is something for everyone. 



What is the impact or intent from the clothes bank?

The clothes bank, we believe, is just the beginning of a revolutionary change which in course of time will spread wings to cater to toys, shoes, medicines, stationary, home needs like utensils, etc. The vision is of a one-stop-center where all the basic needs of the underprivileged are met. Its is a social movement to uplift the life of our brethren in need.

Phase 1 will be a pilot to create a successful working model

Phase 2 will be a full-fledged showroom

How are clothes collected?

Imagine relies completely on contributions of used/new clothes. Clothes collection drives are run by Champions of Imagine in various schools, colleges, organizations and apartments and the collected clothes are then sent to the Imagine Clothes Bank.

Imagine needs clothes all year round. 

How can I be a champion?

At Imagine, we believe that we are only as good as our champions. With champions like you, only not only does our strengths multiply, but also our certainity that the impact too would reach far and wide. 

To register, please fill the form below and the join the WhatsApp group. 

Registration form: https://forms.gle/uyNGmcF8YBxBaBL49

WhatsApp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/L145EPge9fS07LjViKc1E0

What do I need to do as a champion?

As a champion for the Imagine Clothes Bank, here’s what you need to do.

Step 1: Approvals

Please initiate discussions with your organization/ apartment’s approval authorities (management comittee. We can send a formal email on request.

Step 2: Decide the dates and venue

Choose a few dates that work well for all (with a weekend in between) and select a safe indoor space that’s easily accessible to use as your ‘drop point’ for clothes. Please highlight a last date as well.

Step 3: Send out communication

Imagine will provide you with all the necessary communication collaterals for digital communication. Please use your popular channel such as Whatsapp, Telegram, Adda, etc to spread the word around. Daily reminders do wonders to your collection drive. 

Step 4: Segregate

With the help of volunteers in your organization/apartment, you can segregate the collected clothes to check for damages etc. An Imagine Core Team member can guide you on this. Contact the team member on the phone numbers shared below.

Coming together for segregation activity is a great engaging activity and is truly gratifying.

Step 5: Hand over to Imagine

You can drop the collected clothes at the Imagine Clothes Bank near Hosa Road, Electronics City. You can also send them by Porter/ similar logistics’ providers or get together volunteers to drop them at our centre. 

How often should a clothes drive be done?

We encourage drives every six months keeping in mind the response from the contributors and the effort put in by the champions.

How do we communicate to the beneficiaries?

Through posters, flyers printed on recycled paper, word of mouth and through pop-up clothes banks in slums and other areas in the surrounding neighbourhoods.



 What are the other ways in which we can support the clothes bank?

  1. Volunteer at our centre for segregation of clothes and also for running the clothes bank.
  2. Provide logistical support to transport clothes to our centre.
  3. Contribute in cash towards the various expenses of the clothes bank.
  4. Donate/ purchase sarees and inner garments as we do not receive these in collection drives.
  5. Tweet, blog and write about us on social media so more like-minded people may come together towards this cause.

While this is a dream in its nascent stage, we are looking for collaborators, partners and contributors to make this project HUGE. We would be reaching a minimum of 5200 families in a year and we’re excited that this journey has already begun.

If you wish to support us, please call 9886701145/ 9972099323/ 9886701148 or email theimaginetrust@gmail.com.

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