BRICK TOWNSHIP — The township council unanimously adopted an ordinance to lease a unit in Civic Plaza to a nonprofit organization to operate a free clothing store for children and families in need in the area.
The lease agreement is with Toms River-based Choose Love Celebrate Life, A Foundation for Youth and Families (CLCL). CLCL’s goal is to provide emergency shelter access and offer preventative services to youth and families in Ocean and Monmouth counties, providing innovative solutions to local challenges.
Councilman Steve Feinman said, “The store will be known as ‘Community Threads.’ The lease’s term will be for one year with a provision for up to four additional extensions of one year each at the township’s discretion, annually.”
The lease amount will be $1, he said.
The purpose of the lease is to provide a store for clothing and accessories to be given to children and families in need at no charge, with the items given out coming from various donations.
Co-founder of CLCL Foundation Tiffany deSousa said, at the Dec. 9 council meeting, “Thank you for this opportunity to speak regarding this ordinance allowing CLCL Foundation to provide free access to donated clothing, linens, hygiene products, cleaning supplies, kids items and more.”
According to deSousa, families will have access to the store, but so will the elderly, disabled people, veterans, young people, homeless and more.
“Community Threads is designed to support the entire community, preventing a slew of negative outcomes by reducing stress, but also increasing a sense of community and connection,” she said.