Our Story
Nicholas was a young man that was called home unexpectedly in the winter of 2017. He had a huge giving heart that was perfectly demonstrated in one of his last acts on this earth.
It was a frigid night in Dover, New Jersey when Nick saw a homeless man on the side of the road freezing. Without hesitation he took the coat off his back and gave to this man. Nick then returned home that night and with his Mom immediately gathered up more clothes and coats to bring to this man and others like him at a local shelter in Dover.
In March 2020, Nick’s Mom and 2 friends came up with the idea to have a "FREE mobile clothing thrift shop" to serve those in need during difficult times including those in housing crisis. We collect gently used clothing from our community, wash, hang and drive up to areas in need and roll out racks and racks of clothes for folks to choose from. We set up our all FREE “shop” outside in parking lots and sidewalks.
It was a huge success!
We agreed that we would do this in Nick's honor and to continue what he started. It's a been an emotional and inspiring journey, to keep his spirit alive while helping others as he did bring us hope.
Beauty from Ashes
"to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair"
Isaiah 61:3
When the cold weather was upon us, we were looking to set up Nick’s Hope inside community centers or shelter buildings. Unfortunately, with COVID restrictions we were unable to enter any of these buildings, so we had to come up with an alternate plan. That is when we decided on this website. In partnership with local social service agencies, community shelters and food pantries. We now offer Shop for FREE with FREE delivery to community centers.
Since the beginning we have distributed tens of thousands of items!
Nick’s Hope has been truly blessed by the support of our volunteers and local community. With your help we were able to move our basement operation to a store front location in Oak Ridge, NJ. In MAY 2022, we had the grand opening of our thrift shop named "Very Sherry Boutique". All proceeds from the shop will go toward the operational costs of running Nick’s Hope.
Nick’s Hope is a registered 501C(3) non-profit mobile and on-line thrift shop providing FREE, gently used clean clothes, footwear & accessories to New Jersey neighbors in need.