Brick Approves Cost-Free Lease for ‘Community Threads’ Nonprofit Storefront

Brick officials and representatives from the future Community Threads store. (Credit: CLCL)

Brick Township council members this week approved a cost-free lease in Civic Plaza, a township-owned strip mall on Chambers Bridge Road, to an organization that plans to open a storefront to distribute clothing and hygienic items to people in need.

Earlier this month, the council introduced an ordinance that would provide for a one-year lease to “Choose Love Celebrate Life,” known by its acronym “CLCL,” that would operate a storefront called “Community Threads” at the location at 270 Chambers Bridge Road. It will be located in the space which formerly housed the Brick Community Children’s Theater group before it moved to its new home on Mantoloking Road.

The organization’s website explains that its goal is to provide clothing and other items to children so that they can avoid becoming the subject to parental neglect complaints if they are found to be lacking appropriate clothing for the season, or other items in their home, such as hygiene products. But this week, at a public hearing on the granting of the lease, a representative from the organization said the store would also serve other populations in need, including senior citizens, and potentially work with the county’s Meals on Wheels program.

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The store would extend its offerings to the “elderly, disabled, veterans, homeless, foster parents and more,” said Tiffany M. deSousa, the organization’s founder.

Civic Plaza (Photo: Daniel Nee)

The items for needy patrons will be distributed at the storefront, and eventually, could also be delivered, the group said. The council approved the cost-free, one-year lease unanimously, with options to extend it in the future. The store has not yet set an opening date, but provides updates on its Facebook page.

“I have no doubt that Community Threads will be flooded with donations and volunteers, because we all need help sometimes, and we all want to help as much as we can,” said deSousa. “The Jersey Shore is filled with givers, but also those with great need.”