Transforming Teens, One Outfit at a Time: How Pick Purple Fuels Batya’s Impact

In the heart of our communities, there are dozens of young women doing something very powerful. The staff and Reps at Batya, a network for unaffiliated teen girls, are building relationships, serving as role models, and providing opportunities of growth and connection to Torah.  These are local girls, graduates of our schools and seminaries, who are changing lives – and generations!   
While many locals may not be familiar with Batya, its affiliate Pick Purple has become a household name. A brilliant business and charity model, Pick Purple personifies ‘zeh neheneh v’zeh neheneh… v’zeh neheneh”.

To schedule a pick-up, visit pickpurple.org or call 201.47-purple (78775).

Everyone has clothes they want to get rid of without tossing, the market for affordable used clothing is tremendous, and facilitating the partnership between the two brings income to an amazing cause. Pick Purple takes your clothing, shoes, linen and accessories that can still be used, bringing affordable items to the used clothing market, at a profit for the organization.  Couldn’t ask for a better plan!

To schedule a pick-up, visit pickpurple.org or call 201.47-purple (78775)

“With our growing budget, best practice is to have a business model to help support the organization,” notes Rabbi Newmark, founding director.  “We did a clothing drive as a community service activity with our girls and discovered that there is actually money in the used clothing industry. Used clothing is in demand by thrift shops, and overseas – where they don’t look only for the quality and condition that people want here. We started collecting used clothing in Brooklyn. Today, we have drivers throughout the greater New York-New Jersey area, in Florida and in Baltimore. It nets about half of our budget.”
It was a learning process, says David Parnes, manager, who mentions that the used clothing collection bins that organizations typically place outdoors in parking lots are prone to moldiness, often ruining the clothing. 

To schedule a pick-up, visit pickpurple.org or call 201.47-purple (78775)

“Our mindset was to provide the best and most convenient way to donate clothing,” he explains. “Today, all you have to do is go to our PickPurple.org website and type in your zip code. The next available routes in your neighborhood will pop up, and you can schedule the pickup yourself. You will get a text when the driver is on the way and will be emailed a tax-deductible receipt within minutes.”

The top quality and condition clothing goes to second-hand stores in Monsey, Monroe, Lakewood, or Eretz Yisroel. Torn or stained clothing goes into the garbage, often at a cost to Pick Purple, which is why they only accept usable clothing. The remainder – clothing that is somewhat outdated or faded – goes to general thrift shops arounds the US or overseas.
In today’s economy, we value the ability to give a second chance to your unwanted clothing.  Used clothing is in higher demand and the profit for Batya is very valued.   A win-win.  
To schedule a pick-up, visit pickpurple.org or call 201.47-purple (78775).
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