Bengaluru: In the heart of Bengaluru’s bustling Electronics City lies a humble yet transformative initiative that’s redefining how we think about giving—and receiving. Founded in 2021 by four friends—Vinod Lobo, Vignesh, Melisha Noronha, and Nitin Kumar—Imagine Trust resurrected a vision from their college days in Mangaluru. That vision: offer dignity through choice, not pity, by launching a Clothes Bank where individuals can shop for any piece of clothing they need for just ₹1.
Origins Rooted in Empathy
The seed for this initiative was planted nearly two decades ago. As college students at St. Aloysius College, Mangaluru, the founders once operated a street-level clothes bank, providing basics for the underprivileged. Though the effort paused post-college, the idea lingered. Fast forward to the pandemic’s shadow—it reemerged, this time in Bengaluru, as the city’s daily-wage earners and migrant families struggled to afford even a change of clothes.
Melisha recalls, “A poor family spends about Rs 2,000 annually on clothes. We thought that could be saved for more urgent needs.”
A Sustainable, Dignity-Centered Model
What sets the Clothes Bank apart is its symbolic token pricing. Charging ₹1 serves more than a nominal fee—it upholds the dignity of the recipient. “When we pay, even just one rupee, we value what we receive. It maintains respect,” explains Melisha.
Donations pour in from apartment communities—nearly 30 residential blocs contribute apparel weekly—with clothes sorted by an in-house team. They ensure everything is wearable: no rips, no stains, nothing overly worn. What doesn’t meet the mark is upcycled into pillows or doormats, ensuring the model remains zero-waste.
Dignified Distribution in Practice
Open every Sunday from 11 am to 4 pm at a rented two-bedroom flat in Lava Kusha Layout, Electronics City, the Clothes Bank transforms into a “mini-boutique” where beneficiaries can browse shirts, pants, skirts, saris, blankets—even curtains—hanging neatly along racks.
To prevent hoarding, each visitor is allowed up to 10 items per visit, and all transactions are logged. This policy ensures fair access and fosters a sense of community responsibility. Weekly, approximately 150 families benefit, with around 2,500 garments available and 1,500 taken home each Sunday.
Scaling Impact and Collaboration
Since its inception, the Clothes Bank has served thousands of families—estimates suggest around 10,000 households have benefited to date. The initiative is entirely self-funded by the founders, supported by occasional donations, alongside a small team and caring volunteers.
Inspired to do more, Imagine Trust is developing additional “banks” for utensils and toys—demonstrating a replicable model rooted in sustainable giving.
Voices from Beneficiaries and Community
Volunteers praise the transformative environment: the Clothes Bank mimics a retail experience in many ways, including thoughtful garment displays sorted by age and size . One volunteer noted, “It is a wonderful initiative,” highlighting its impact beyond clothing—it restores self-respect.
The token price also fosters psychological uplift. For many, the opportunity to choose their own clothes—even minimally “paying” for them—replaces the often-degrading experience of receiving free handouts.
Lessons for the Future
- Dignity Matters: The Re 1 pricing is more than a gimmick—it validates the recipient’s agency.
- Quality over Quantity: Rigorous curation ensures the clothes offered are wearable, neat, and useful.
- Sustainability in Action: Upcycling rejects into functional products embodies a zero-waste ethic.
- Community Power: Donations from local apartment residents and logistical volunteerism showcase scalable civic engagement.
- Replicability: With its DIY organizational model, the concept can work in any city—from suburban flats to rural centres.
Looking Ahead
While continuing its Sunday operations, Imagine Trust is exploring partnerships for dedicated space, seeking to launch next-phase banks. Significantly, their model offers a blueprint for grassroots social innovation: dignity-centered, eco-friendly, and powered by local empathy.
“We’re not the only ones who dream,” Melisha quotes John Lennon’s Imagine—reminding us that meaningful social change starts with small ideas brought to life.
In the Words of the Founders
- Vinod Lobo (Communications professional): Revived their college project, determined to aid struggling families during COVID.
- Melisha Noronha (HR professional): Emphasises dignity and rejects throwing poorly maintained clothes into charity.
- Nitin Kumar and Vignesh (Product design and HR): Joined forces to create a trusted platform for reuse and giving back.
How You Can Help
- Donate thoughtfully: Only offer clean, wearable clothes; non-wearables are repurposed or responsibly recycled.
- Volunteer: Join the Sunday team, help sort, manage visitor lists, and ensure fair distribution.
- Partner: Schools, residents’ associations, and corporates can host pop-up banks or support expansion.
For those in Bengaluru, the Imagine Trust Clothes Bank is accessible every Sunday, 11 am–4 pm, at Lava Kusha Layout, Electronics City. The founders can be reached at +91 84317 65974, and more details are available on.
Reflection: A New Kind of Charity
Imagine Trust’s Clothes Bank reminds us that empathy doesn’t need to be expensive—just thoughtful. In selling dignity for a rupee, it challenges entrenched narratives about charity, poverty, and worth. If every neighborhood had such a bank, collecting unused yet clean clothing, paying it forward could become second nature.
The Takeaway
Through this ₹1 Clothes Bank, four friends have proven that meaningful social change starts small—with community trust, thoughtful empathy, and a belief in dignity. Their story asks us: What can your community do—one respectful rupee at a time?
