In Bengaluru, college friends start the 'Imagine Clothes Bank,' where each garment costs only Rs 1

Four college buddies in Bengaluru have started a textile bank where underprivileged and needy individuals can buy any outfit of their choosing for Rs 1 per piece.

Imagine Clothes Bank was launched in September 2021 in a tiny two-bedroom flat in Beratena Agrahara, Electronics City’s Lava Kusha Layout. About 30 apartment complexes in and around Electronics City contribute the garments.

Sarees, pants, shirts, coats, and other types of clothing have been stored at the bank, and two staff members have organised the clothing by size, age, and type. Some of the items are brand new, while others are nearly new. All of the things in this shop are Rs 1, giving buyers the freedom to choose whatever they wish. Furthermore, the proceeds from the sales are used to help families in need with their educational or medical needs.

The Trust was founded in 2013 by Melisha Noronha, her husband Vinod Lobo, her mother Gladys, and two of her friends, Nitin Kumar and Vignesh. After witnessing the misery of the poor during the pandemic, the group devised the cloth bank. “When we saw all of the suffering around us, we felt safe and realised it was our responsibility to give back to society.” “A poor family spends roughly Rs 2,000 on clothes per year, and we wanted to help them save that money for something else,” Melisha told Deccan Herald.

Vinod and Nitin established a textile business in Mangaluru when they were in college roughly 18 years ago, which encouraged them to start this cloth bank.

Every week, 150 families come to the bank, and 560 families have benefited so far. On a single visit, a visitor can purchase up to ten goods. Every Sunday, the clothing bank opens its doors to the poor, providing clothing for people of all ages. You can donate by calling 96119 77074.