A mobile thrift store designed to support health care workers and their families made a stop at Long Island Jewish Valley Stream hospital March 24, bringing a mix of sustainability, employee support and community-building directly to staff on site.
The one-day event, part of Northwell’s “Off the Rack,” transformed a section of the hospital’s parking lot into a pop-up shopping experience. Staff were invited to browse and take home gently used clothing at no cost during scheduled hours.
The program is part of Northwell Kids and Family Services, a division within human resources that supports team members and their households.
Originally launched as a small “closet” concept, the program expanded into a standalone store in Lake Success that opens multiple times a year. High participation and growing demand led to the introduction of a mobile component, “Off the Rack on the Go,” allowing the program to reach employees who may not be able to travel to a central location.
“We didn’t want the dignity to get lost here,” Carol Battaglia, assistant vice president, Northwell Kids and Family Services, said. “It was all around coming in, having a wonderful experience, which they did. And what was happening was people were going back and telling their team members, ‘Hey, did you hear about this?’ It became contagious, and now it’s expanding and exploding in a very good way.”
The mobile unit, an RV outfitted as a thrift store, is part of an effort to extend access across Northwell’s network. The Valley Stream visit was one of several planned stops this year, selected in part because of interest from local leadership following volunteering at the Lake Success location.
At LIJVS, planning for the event began months in advance. Hospital leadership worked across departments to coordinate logistics, including identifying a suitable location for the RV amid ongoing parking constraints and ensuring staff accessibility throughout the day.
The final placement near the hospital’s main entrance was chosen to maximize convenience for employees, allowing them to visit the mobile store during breaks or before and after shifts. Organizers also coordinated volunteer support to assist throughout the event and managed donation efforts in the weeks leading up to the visit.
Donation bins were placed in the hospital cafeteria ahead of the event to encourage staff to contribute gently used clothing. Items collected were transported, sorted and prepared for redistribution as part of the pop-up experience.
The initiative operates on a model of “team members giving back to team members,” combining practical support with a broader focus on sustainability. Clothing is collected, cleaned and redistributed, helping reduce waste while providing a resource for employees.
Across the system, the program has collected tens of thousands of pounds of clothing, reflecting both participation and its environmental impact.
The event is also aimed at addressing challenges faced by healthcare workers, including financial pressures and workplace stress. By offering free clothing and a unique on-site experience, organizers sought to provide both practical assistance and a morale boost.
“It’s really a very nice initiative from the system,” Kafa Meshrqi, assistant vice president, Human Resources, LIJVS, said. “To have people recognize and make them feel they are special and important by literally just using the clothes. I mean, women love this. We love to go shopping. And you know, it’s a wonderful experience to shop for free.”
Hospital leadership anticipated that the event would create visible energy throughout the building, as staff engaged with the program and shared the experience with colleagues. The program was also seen as part of broader efforts to recognize employees and support workplace culture in a high-demand healthcare environment.
The event was open exclusively to LIJVS and Orzac Center for Rehabilitation employees and their families, with participation requiring a staff ID.
Hospital leadership indicated interest in bringing the program, depending on feedback and overall impact.
