Thread Up Oxford’s Karma Bucks provide over $9k in free clothing to community

Danielle Young, an Oxford resident who has been homeless for three years, said she remembers when Shana Rosenberg, founder and current operations manager of Thread Up Oxford, first started the nonprofit. She said Rosenberg would come to the apartment complex where Young used to live and give out clothes.

“She always talked about a dream, and I thought maybe it was like a little far off thing,” Young said.

Since moving to Oxford in 2018, Young and her partner have struggled with eviction, job loss and the public’s perception of homeless people. When the Karma Bucks program started at Uptown Threads – Thread Up’s retail store – she said it helped them tremendously.

“If it wasn't for (Karma Bucks), I would not have clothes,” Young said. “She is the reason that I am able to dress right now because it's hard to keep stuff when you're out there, and it's hard to buy stuff when you're out there.”

Young said she was shocked at how high-quality and appropriate the clothes were, and said they’re fit for important events like interviews.

Young said Rosenberg has been a “lifeline” for her, and she knows she can go to her for anything.

“I was looking around and saw nobody, and then the fog lifted, and there she was,” Young said.

Karma Bucks program

Rosenberg said she’s most proud of the nonprofit’s Karma Bucks program and all it has provided for the community. This year alone, Rosenberg said they’ve given out about $9,500 worth of clothing and household textiles through Karma Bucks.

Karma Bucks are gift vouchers worth $25 each that can be redeemed at Uptown Threads. Customers can collect them through organizations they receive social services from that Thread Up partners with. 

These organizations include the Talawanda Oxford Pantry and Social Services (TOPSS), Talawanda School District, Oxford Winter House and Preble County Head Start.

The Karma Bucks program started in 2022 when Uptown Threads opened to provide people experiencing financial hardships with clothing and textiles. The vouchers are funded primarily through retail sales, but also through grants and donations.

The usage of vouchers has increased each year, and Rosenberg said they’re on track to double last year’s numbers. Recently, she started encouraging people to directly ask her if they needed Karma Bucks.

Rosenberg said the nonprofit has served roughly 120 “families” this year, and a family can mean one individual or multiple people. These families are from not just Oxford, but also Hamilton, Eaton and Indiana.

Rosenberg said since starting the Karma Bucks partnership with the Oxford Winter House, several people staying there have come to Uptown Threads. But even before the Winter House opened, she’s provided emergency warm clothing to the community several times.

“I had one family that just point blank was like, ‘Yeah, these blankets kept us alive. These sweaters kept us alive,’” Rosenberg said.

The retail store setup is intentional; Rosenberg wants all customers, whether they’re using cash, credit cards or Karma Bucks, to shop in the same space.

“I just feel it's more respectful to have the model that we have, where folks can all be shopping together … nobody's being segregated away,” Rosenberg said.

Though Thread Up isn’t providing people with food or housing, which some may say is more crucial, Rosenberg said clothing is just as important because it helps people get interviews, jobs and appear at social events.

Rosenberg said she wants to help people be treated with respect, and for her, that starts with clothing. This passion guides her everyday decisions at Uptown Threads, such as recently when a construction worker came to buy a $1 shirt to replace the dirty one he was wearing, and Rosenberg decided to give it to him for free.

“That T-shirt's clean. That T-shirt looks fine,” Rosenberg said. “He can take off the shirt he had on, put the T-shirt on, and go to Kroger without people judging him.”

Rosenberg said she is always looking for organizations to start Karma Bucks partnerships with, whether it’s based in addiction recovery, support for low-income families or other social services.

Rosenberg said that, despite setbacks and disappointments, the Karma Bucks program has motivated her to keep Thread Up alive.

“Every day I feel good about what I do … I get to talk to people and help them out and get them what they need,” Rosenberg said.

Thread Up’s future

While Rosenberg said the organization is very focused on continuing the Karma Bucks program, she said they’re also planning to move everything to one location.

In August 2025, Uptown Threads moved to College Corner Pike, next to the Thread Up location. This has made operations easier now that Rosenberg doesn’t have to go across town between locations.

The move to one unit will help reduce rent and utility bills. Rosenberg also plans to drop the Uptown Threads name afterward, because the two different names were confusing.

Rosenberg said the textile recycling initiative is no longer a part of Thread Up’s mission for several reasons, as it was a “blow financially.” The more Rosenberg learned about the industry, the more she realized the investment it required.

She said it would have taken “half a million dollars,” a shredder and more staff for Thread Up to commit. Regardless, she intends to stay open and not throw anything away, a promise she has kept since the organization's start.

Rosenberg said Thread Up needs the support of the community, whether that’s by donating, shopping at Uptown Threads or volunteering.

Rosenberg said the nonprofit has a budget of about $80,000 annually, which they do not make in a year. They’ve applied for and received several grants in the past, and recently had a successful fundraising campaign for their summer rent. The donation link is still open.

Although Rosenberg regrets the textile recycling mission didn’t work out as intended and she is anxious about funding, she is proud of what she’s done with Thread Up. She said she’s gained so much self-confidence and valuable friendships.

Young said she was one of the first volunteers when Rosenberg started the nonprofit. Young said many people weren’t sure if Thread Up would succeed, herself included. But she said she’s proud of Rosenberg and all she has provided for the community.

“As long as it keeps going, it'll be something way bigger than just her because this is something that every city needs,” Young said.

Anyone interested in volunteering can visit Uptown Threads at 5154 College Corner Pike during open hours, which are Tuesday-Friday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. More information can be found on its Facebook group.