Thrift for Gaza: Expanding the Vision of Sustainable Fundraising for Palestine

On the weekend of August 23-24, Thrift for Gaza hosted its second community pop-up at Judson Memorial Church in the West Village, transforming the historic space into a market for solidarity and raising funds for Gaza. The two-day event brought together vendors, organizers, and supporters to raise funds for Palestinian mutual aid, continuing a grassroots initiative that began with the goal of mobilizing resources creatively and sustainably.

“Islam teaches us not to be wasteful,” Sarah, one of the event organizers, explained. “We live in a capitalist-oriented country, but we wanted to find a way to donate back to Gaza sustainably, making sure proceeds are going directly to people on the ground.”

At its core, Thrift for Gaza is about transforming everyday fashion practices into acts of resistance and care. The event directed 100 percent of thrifted sales toward initiatives such as Salem’s journalist-led food distribution network in Gaza, Doctors Against Genocide, and House of Hope, a refugee shelter in Staten Island. In doing so, it linked local community action in New York to urgent needs in Palestine, building a bridge between culture and humanitarian response.

The two-day pop-up reflected the collective’s broader vision: abolitionist, mutual-aid-driven, and determined to keep momentum alive. Organizers see these gatherings as more than fundraisers; they are spaces to reimagine solidarity in accessible ways. Plans are already forming to establish chapters beyond New York, with interest from communities in Detroit, Texas, and the DMV.

Vendors brought their own stories of resilience, identity, and purpose.

Kismet, a modern jewelry brand, emerged from a leap out of corporate life and now seamlessly integrates faith and personality into each piece.

Zastar, which began in the early days of the pandemic, turned a hobby into a community favorite by emphasizing charms as markers of individuality.

Arganier Noir, rooted in a Moroccan beauty ritual, foregrounded halal and kosher products and introduced traditional pigments like aker fassi to new audiences.

Each business offered more than goods, they provided cultural narratives that deepened the market’s atmosphere of connection and exchange.

Among the most impactful presences were members of:

Doctors Against Genocide, a physician-led collective tracing the systemic signs and symptoms of genocide through a multidisciplinary lens. Their updates on efforts to extend capacity at Al Shifa Hospital grounded the event in the ongoing realities of war, genocide, and public health crises.

For Sarah and her team, keeping the community engaged remains the priority. “The movement was at a standstill for a bit. This event is a fun and sustainable way to get people involved, to do your part,” she said. With connections to groups like the Bronx Abolition Fund and plans to expand nationally, Thrift for Gaza is carving out a model of grassroots solidarity that reimagines abolitionist principles and responds to a humanitarian crisis in real time.

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TFB Collective stands with the Free Palestine movement and all movements resisting oppression. Just as we have supported fundraising for aid to Congo, we continue to highlight humanitarian causes in meaningful ways.