The idea
Community Closet by Change Clothes is a free clothing service delivering choice-based clothing events into homeless services and community organisations across Dublin. We’ve secured a service contract to run monthly events, but not the system behind them.
This campaign will fund the essential work that keeps Community Closet running from June to December 2026: collecting donations, sorting and quality checking clothing, storing stock, and delivering it to partner services.
Ireland discards over 100,000 tonnes of textiles each year, while many people struggle to access basic clothing. Community Closet bridges this gap by keeping clothing in use locally and making it accessible in a dignified, shop-style setting.
We are raising €5,000 through crowdfunding, which will be matched by Dublin City Council to unlock a total of €10,000 and sustain the service for six months.
What we'll deliver
- Deliver Community Closet events across 8 partner services in Dublin (June–December 2026)
- Collect donated clothing from the public and partner organisations on an ongoing basis
- Processing approximately 300–800 items per month based on recent delivery
- Store clothing in a dedicated, organised space to support consistent weekly operations
- Prepare clothing rails for each Community Closet event, ready for immediate use on site
- Transport clothing to each partner location across the city
- Redistribute clothing directly to people who need it, maintaining 300–800 items per month
- Maintain a continuous flow of clothing from donation through to redistribution across all partner services
Why it's a great idea
Community Closet will improve access to essential clothing for people experiencing homelessness and financial hardship, offering a dignified, choice-based alternative to traditional donation models. By bringing free, shop-style clothing directly into partner services, it supports confidence, comfort, and wellbeing.
The project will also deliver environmental benefits by keeping thousands of clothing items in use and diverting textiles from landfill. It strengthens local circular economy practices by ensuring clothing is reused within the community where it was donated.
In addition, Community Closet builds stronger connections between donors, volunteers, and community organisations, creating a shared, practical response to both textile waste and clothing inequality across Dublin.
Steps to get it done
- June 2026: Activate and organise existing storage space for Community Closet operationsJ
- June–July 2026: Confirm collection schedule with donors and partner organisations
- July 2026: Begin regular sorting, quality checking, and stock organisation
- July–December 2026: Maintain ongoing collection, sorting, and storage systems
- July–December 2026: Coordinate redistribution to 8 partner services across Dublin
- August 2026: Review delivery and refine logistics and workflows
- September–October 2026: Maintain steady flow of clothing across all partners
- November 2026: Prepare for increased winter demand through added collection and sorting
- December 2026: Complete final deliveries and review project outcomes
