A free public wardrobe for families in need opens in Prague's Holešovice district

June 1, Children's Day in the Czech Republic, saw the opening of the "Closet for Single Parent Families" project opens at the Prague Market, which allows disadvantaged families to shop for free items donated by the community.

The successful project is the brainchild of Czech Television reporter Nora Fridrichová. The public wardrobe, which has been running for a year, has so far managed to raise over CZK 10 million and is currently helping more than 400 families. The wardrobe was previously housed in the Karlín Barracks and the Palmovka Theatre.

The community wardrobe will operate in the Prague Market Hall in Hall 13 at least until the end of this year. 

The wardrobe works on the principle of donation, so anyone can donate clothes and other items that single-parent families will appreciate.

Single parents or families in need must first register for the Closet, after which they can visit and take away free items for themselves and their children. Parents can also work in the Closet. For each shift they work, they get "paid" with food that is purchased through a public fundraiser. 

"Single-parent families, in particular, have been hit really hard by the 'Covid' year," says project founder Fridrichová. "We are very happy for the opportunity to become tenants of the Prague Market Hall. But the Closet won't just be offering clothes: we will reward single parents who come to help us with groceries, babysit their children, and in the summer we want to start babysitting and tutoring," adds Fridrichová.  

Last year, the organizers of the project redistributed more than four tonnes of donations, helping hundreds of single-parent families, both mothers, and fathers, as well as foster parents. Branches of the Closet are gradually being established in other Czech cities - in Hradec Králové, Pardubice, Kroměříž, Plzeň, and Opava, for example. 

"As a father of three children, I can imagine how challenging it must be to stay on your own to take care of your children, and even more so during the coronavirus crisis with all its consequences. I am very pleased that, in addition to other forms of assistance, we can support meaningful projects on behalf of Prague that help people in a difficult financial situation by providing quality facilities in the city's premises," adds Pavel Vyhnánek, Deputy Mayor of the Capital City of Prague.

For donors, the Closet in the Prague Market Hall has been open since Monday, May 31, and no registration is required to donate items. It is possible to donate women's and men's fashion, as well as children's fashion from size 92 upwards, children's books and toys, drugstore items, sports equipment, or small electrical appliances.

The public wardrobe will be open six days a week - Monday to Friday from 10 am to 6 pm and on Saturdays until 2 pm. The building can be accessed by car for as long as necessary to unload items, by using the side entrance to the site from Komunardů Street.

The Closet is currently looking for children's clothing (from size 92), women's and men's clothing in good condition, seasonal shoes, children's bikes, bicycles, in-line skates, helmets, pads, etc., children's books, toys, school supplies, and backpacks.

More information can be found at www.satnik.org.