The Street Store is the world’s first rent-free, open-source pop-up clothing store for people experiencing homelessness or clothing insecurity. It allows people in need to “shop” for free by choosing the clothes they want, in a dignified environment that feels more like a store than a handout.

The difference is simple: no charity, only choice. The Street Store is not only about giving clothing away. It is about restoring dignity, encouraging human connection, reducing fashion waste and giving good pre-loved clothes a second life.

Many clothing donation organisations collect, sort and redistribute clothing through shelters, charity shops or welfare networks. The Street Store is different because it creates a direct, dignified shopping experience where people in need choose what they want for themselves.

The focus is not only on donation, but on agency. Guests are not handed whatever is available; they are welcomed into a pop-up store where clothing is displayed, organised and offered with respect. The model also encourages donors and volunteers to engage more consciously with the impact of clothing waste and the value of mindful giving.

Hosting a Street Store takes planning, but it is designed to be simple and achievable. You do not need previous experience. The Street Store provides a free host kit with posters, a guidebook, a planning checklist, volunteer tips and social sharing tools.

A typical host will need to:

• Choose a suitable location or venue.
• Recruit volunteers.
• Collect good-quality clothing.
• Sort clothing by type, size and gender where possible.
• Print and prepare the Street Store posters and signage.
• Set up the store on the day.
• Welcome guests and help them choose clothing.
• Pack down and manage any remaining items responsibly.

The exact workload depends on the size of the event. A small community pop-up can be run with a modest team, while a larger store may require more volunteers, storage, transport and partner support.

A Street Store can be hosted on a street, sidewalk, community space, school, church, shelter, parking area, public square or partner venue. The best location is one that is accessible to the community you want to serve, visible enough for donors and volunteers, and practical for setup and pack-down.

When choosing a location, hosts should consider:

• Whether people in need can easily reach it.
• Whether there is enough space to display clothing clearly.
• Whether the area is safe and accessible.
• Whether permission is needed from a municipality, venue owner, school, church, shelter or community organisation.
• Whether there is access to toilets, shade, shelter, parking or nearby transport.
• Whether the location works for clothing drop-off, setup and pack-down.

Partnering with a local shelter, NGO, school, faith group, retailer, community centre or local business can make finding a location much easier.

In most cases, yes. If you are using a public space, you may need permission from the local municipality or relevant authority. If you are using private property, you need permission from the property owner or venue manager.

A good approach is to explain that The Street Store is a temporary, volunteer-run pop-up clothing store that provides free clothing to people in need while promoting reuse, dignity and community participation.

Volunteer and guest safety should be part of every host’s planning. The Street Store is built on dignity, respect and community, but each host is responsible for making sure their event is appropriate for the local environment.

Hosts should choose a safe, visible location, work with local community organisations where possible, and ensure there are enough volunteers present throughout the event. It is also helpful to brief volunteers in advance, define clear roles, and identify someone responsible for managing any issues on the day.

Security needs depend on the location, size and context of the event. A small event hosted at a school, church, shelter or community venue may not need formal security. A larger event in a busy public area may benefit from additional support.

Hosts should consider:

• Speaking to the venue owner or local authority about safety requirements.
• Partnering with a shelter, community organisation or local business that knows the area.
• Having a clear entry, browsing and exit flow.
• Making sure volunteers are visible and easy to identify.
• Keeping valuables and personal belongings secure.
• Having a basic plan for emergencies, crowding or conflict.
• Arranging professional security or local community safety support if the location requires it.

The goal is not to make the event feel controlled or intimidating. The goal is to make it safe, calm, respectful and welcoming for everyone.

Volunteers can have a positive and safe experience when the event is properly planned. The key is preparation. Volunteers should not work alone, should be briefed before the event, and should know who to speak to if they feel uncomfortable or unsure.

Where possible, hosts should arrange volunteers in teams and assign clear roles such as setup, clothing sorting, welcome desk, shopper assistance, crowd flow, photography, pack-down and logistics. Hosts should also consider inviting volunteers from partner organisations who already understand the community being served.

Yes, in many cases clothing can be collected before the event, especially if hosts arrange collection points through schools, offices, retailers, churches, community centres or partner organisations.

However, The Street Store is not just a traditional clothing drive. The purpose is to create a moment of connection and a dignified shopping experience. Clothing collection should therefore support the pop-up store, not replace it.

A good model is to run a short collection campaign before the event, sort and prepare the clothing, and then display it properly at the Street Store so guests can choose what they want.

The Street Store can work with donation points and collection partners, but its model is different from organisations that operate ongoing collection, resale or welfare distribution systems.

The Street Store is primarily a pop-up platform. It equips hosts and partners to collect good-quality clothing and turn it into a free shopping experience for people in need. Where year-round collection is needed, The Street Store can partner with schools, retailers, offices, faith organisations, shelters or logistics partners to create donation points that feed into upcoming Street Store events.

Please donate clothing you would feel comfortable giving to a friend or loved one. The Street Store is about dignity, so clothing should be clean, wearable and in good condition.

Good items include:

• Gently worn clothing for all ages and sizes.
• Warm items such as jackets, scarves and blankets.
• Wearable shoes.
• Bags, backpacks, belts and accessories.
• Men’s clothing and men’s shoes, which are often in high demand.

Please do not donate torn, soiled, damaged or heavily worn clothing. Items that require dry cleaning, repairs or matching pieces, such as single shoes, are not suitable.

The Street Store’s core model is based on clothing, volunteering, hosting and partnerships. At present, the website does not take financial donations directly. People who want to contribute financially can support local homeless shelters directly or help a Street Store host by sponsoring practical needs such as printing, transport, storage, refreshments, venue costs or logistics.

A Street Store can be low-cost, but practical support is often helpful. Hosts may need funding or sponsorship for:

• Printing posters and signage.
• Transporting clothing to and from the venue.
• Temporary storage.
• Rails, hangers, tables or display materials.
• Volunteer refreshments.
• Venue support.
• Security or crowd management, where needed.
• Photography, media or campaign materials.

Corporate partners, retailers, schools, community organisations and local businesses can support by offering space, staff, collection points, printing, transport, storage, media amplification or unsold stock.

The Street Store works best when local partners help make the event easier to run and easier to scale. Helpful partners include:

• Venues that can host a pop-up store.
• Retailers that can provide donation points or clothing.
• Logistics companies that can transport clothing.
• Storage providers.
• Printers and production companies.
• Schools, universities, churches and community centres.
• Shelters and NGOs connected to people in need.
• Media partners who can help spread the word.
• Corporate teams looking for meaningful volunteer opportunities.

Volunteers can help before, during and after the event. Before the event, volunteers may help collect, sort and pack clothing. On the day, they may help set up the store, display clothing, welcome guests, assist shoppers, manage flow, take photographs, and pack down afterwards.

The most important role of a volunteer is to treat every guest with dignity and respect.

Hosts should plan this before the event. Any leftover clothing should be stored for a future Street Store, donated to a trusted local shelter or partner organisation, or redirected responsibly. The goal is to avoid waste and ensure every usable item continues to serve someone in need.

Yes. Anyone, anywhere can host a Street Store, provided they use the name and materials responsibly and for good, not for profit. The Street Store is open-source and designed to be replicated by people who want to make a difference in their own communities.

No. Taking the pledge gives you access to the host materials and guidebook, but it does not obligate you to host. You can review the materials, understand what is involved, and then decide whether you are ready.

A successful Street Store is not measured only by how many clothes are given away. It is measured by whether people are treated with dignity, whether clothing is reused meaningfully, whether volunteers engage respectfully, and whether the community leaves with a deeper understanding of mindful giving.

The best Street Stores are well organised, welcoming, safe, and rooted in local partnerships.