For nonprofit organizations, running a business is only half the battle. Getting enough hands on deck is an equally important obstacle.

Thread Up is a local nonprofit textile reuse organization that serves the community with a passion for sustainability, said Shana Rosenberg, 51, the executive director of Thread Up. But it needs the community to match their passion by volunteering.

Once a month, Thread Up takes in at least two tons of textiles and materials.

Those donations can consist of almost anything textile based: tattered sheets, old stockings and much more interesting pieces like authentic foreign garments and fabrics.

“It can even be clothes that were sitting in a garage,” said Rosenberg.“That’s just a Febreeze issue. It’s important to me that the stuff that’s usable stays in our community.” 

With such a keen eye for sustainability and reusability, it becomes increasingly essential to have enough help to get jobs done.

All two tons of donated textiles per month must be sorted into three separate categories: store quality, downcycling and freejects.

Store quality items are ready to be shelved in their Oxford store location. Downcycling items are those in need of extensive repair and freejects are items that are decent enough to sell, but not perfect. These are given away free of charge, Rosenberg said.

It’s easy to get involved, Rosenberg said. 

“It’s actually pretty simple,” she said. “If you just walk into our warehouse one day and ask to help – even if you don’t know what you’re doing and I have to ‘train’ you – that’s still two more hands than I had.”

Deborah Webber, 74, a volunteer at Thread Up is one of those pairs of hands. 

“I’ve been helping out here since just a few months after they got started, I think?” said Webber. “I always pass them on my way to Kroger and I really do believe that what we’re doing helps out.”

But Thread Up needs more volunteers.

“Right now, we run at a deficit,” Rosenberg said. “All the stuff that we do, every quirky little program or event, costs about 2.35 cents a pound. But we add more value to the community.”

Walk-in volunteering is available Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m to 4 p.m at 5156 College Corner Pike. The store also has a location at the corner of College Avenue and Church Street.