BRICK – A leader of a nonprofit provided more detail about operations of a local donation site.
The Township Council recently passed an ordinance on its final reading that authorizes the lease of a storefront in Civic Plaza to the non-profit group Choose Love Celebrate Life (CLCL), who plan to operate a store called Community Threads.
Councilman Steve Fineman said that CLCL is a foundation for youth and families, and the store would provide clothing and accessories to children and families in need, at no charge, with the operations funded by charitable organizations.
During public comment, CLCL Foundation founder and board chair Tiffany deSousa said Community Threads would provide donated clothing, linens, hygiene products, cleaning supplies, kid’s items and more.
“I would first like to correct a small misunderstanding regarding the population that Community Threads store will serve,” she said.
“Yes, families will have access to the store, but so too will the elderly, disabled, veterans, young people, homeless, kinship foster parents and more,” deSousa said.
The initiative is designed to support the entire community, preventing negative outcomes by reducing stress and also increasing a sense of community and connection, she said.
deSousa said she knows that Brick is filled with generous people seeking to donate to those in need, “oftentimes begging for items to not be wasted or thrown away…I have no doubt that Community Threads will be flooded with donations and volunteers because we all want to help sometimes and we all need help sometimes.”
The term of the lease is for one year with a provision for four additional extensions of one year each, at the township’s discretion, Fineman said.
Community Threads will occupy unit 11, formerly occupied by The Brick Children’s Community Theater (BCCT), which has relocated to a stand-alone building on Mantoloking Road.
The next Council Meeting will be held on Monday, December 29 at 10 a.m.
