Photo by Adrienne J. Romero / SOC Images.
Whether you need interview attire, household essentials or want to give back through donations, Community Treasures is providing all that and more.
Located at 450 Martin Luther King Drive, the Jersey City nonprofit provides free clothing, household goods and emergency supplies to individuals and families across the city. Last week, Community Treasures celebrated their anniversary and first annual store opening.
The nonprofit operates as both a donation hub and a community resource center, connecting donated essentials with residents experiencing financial hardship, housing instability or other unexpected challenges. Every week, volunteers collect, organize and distribute donated items, ensuring they quickly reach those who need them most.
Founder Tina Nalls has dedicated herself to serving those in need because she once needed help herself.
“It was only supposed to last a couple of months. But when I saw how many families kept coming, I realized it was a mission,” Nalls said.
“I needed an outfit for a job interview. I went to Goodwill, but they wouldn’t let me get a shirt for a dollar. I came home, and somebody next door had a bag of clothes. They gave me the bag to wear to the interview, and I ended up getting the job,” she said.
What began as a small effort has grown into a resource for individuals and families facing financial hardship. Community Treasures provides clothing to people in need, furniture for families moving into permanent housing, toiletries, underwear, school supplies, prom dresses and other household essentials—items that are often overlooked by traditional assistance programs.
“Some parents worked but still couldn’t afford clothes for themselves,” Nalls said. “They could buy things for their children, but not for themselves.”
For Nalls, restoring dignity is just as important as meeting basic needs.
“Some young women couldn’t even afford lotion or perfume,” she said. “We started collecting lotion and perfume, and you would’ve thought we gave them money. They’d tell me, ‘Now I’m going to smell good for class.'”
She added, “It’s the little things people take for granted that make someone feel confident again.”
Nalls’ commitment extends far beyond volunteering, making sure that the doors stay open for anyone in need.
“I work two jobs so I can keep this storefront open,” she said.
The organization also helps people transitioning out of homelessness and into stable housing.
“Some people have been living in shelters for years and are finally getting an apartment,” Nalls said. “We help them furnish their homes and start over.”
Community Treasures accepts donations on Wednesdays from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Community members are encouraged to donate gently used clothing, shoes, household goods, hygiene products and other essential items that can make an immediate difference for local families.
Free supply distribution is held on Thursdays from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., when residents can receive clothing, household necessities and emergency supplies at no cost. Every Friday, meals will be given out to the community in front of the store’s location as a partnership with Team Jerry Walker and students from Hudson County Community College’s culinary program.
By removing financial barriers to basic necessities, the organization provides immediate assistance while creating a welcoming space where neighbors can support one another through community giving.
