The Street Store is a pop-up store to provide used clothing for those in need. It can be created in any community around the world, where people can come and shop for free. The mission of the Street Store is for people to meet and to interact – “so the world’s haves can meet the have-nots and they can remember that both sides are human."
The Street Store was founded in South Africa, and it was empowering for me to bring the concept to my home in Boston, MA - the first ever Street Store in the United States! After holding large clothing drives in my community, I partnered with an incredible organization that I have previously spent time volunteering at: About Fresh, a mobile market bringing fresh produce to neighborhoods across Boston. I host my stores near the Fresh Truck on Saturday mornings so that people in need can shop for free clothing while also getting fresh produce.
I have met many grateful shoppers and I have felt truly rewarded knowing that many of them and their families have new clothing for the cold Boston winters.
I encourage you to host your own Street Store in your community! It is easy and incredibly rewarding. By doing so, we are helping to keep unused clothing OUT OF LANDFILLS and into the hands of those who desperately need it.
