The closet is no place to keep your old sweaters – or a new idea.
That was Jennie Roth's brainstorm when she heard about a Toronto nonprofit that ran a very successful clothes swap. Now she's bringing the charitable concept to Pittsburgh.
Called
Redd Up Thread Up (
in the Burgh, obviously – not in Canada), the event will benefit the
Women's Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh.
Participants can drop off unwanted clothing that's still in good shape, as well as accessories, to the WYEP Community Broadcast Center lobby (67 Bedford Square, in the South Side) Nov. 1-5 during business hours, or until 8 p.m. Nov. 4-5. The swap will take place at the radio station's facility from noon until 5 on Nov. 6.
There, donors will be given a Redd Up Thread Up tote bag to fill with new items. Additional bags will be available for $5 each, to donors and anyone else who wants to shop the swap.
The day will also include demonstrations of upcycling – re-using clothes in creative ways. American Eagle Outfitters and Modcloth provided funding for the event, and The Pittsburgh Foundation has been helping Roth find her venue and spread the word. Commonwealth Press is covering the cost of the tote bags.
"When there's a season change, I know that everybody goes to their closets" to clean out the old, says Roth, marketing manager for a South Side software company. "Instead of going to a donation bin, this is a pretty cool community event."
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Writer:
Marty LevineSource: Jennie Roth, Redd Up Thread Up
Image courtesy of Redd Up Thread Up