Pune Donation Drive: Wagholi Camp Collects Clothes, Toys, Books for Underprivileged

Wagholi, 20th April 2026: The seventh edition of the Off The Crib Donation Camp held at BAIF Road in Wagholi recorded a strong community response, with more than 200 families contributing a large volume of reusable items for distribution among underprivileged groups.

The initiative was led by Rasik Tulshi, Director of Off The Crib – The Kids Store, in association with Swach, a cooperative of waste pickers in Pune, and Share with India, a non-governmental organisation working with orphanages and old-age homes.

Organisers said the camp received a wide range of items including clothes, toys, books, school bags, footwear, bicycles, strollers and cradles. The sorting and segregation process is expected to take several days before the items are distributed.

Speaking about the origins of the initiative, Tulshi said the idea emerged from customer feedback. Parents visiting the store often expressed a desire to donate usable items that their children had outgrown so they could benefit others in need. The first such camp was organised in 2023.

According to Tulshi, the initiative has expanded steadily since its inception. What began with two camps a year has now grown into a quarterly activity, with a noticeable increase in participation and scale over time.

The collected materials will be distributed through Swach, which works closely with underprivileged families and informal settlements across Pune, ensuring need-based allocation. Share with India will further support distribution by channeling items to orphanages and old-age homes.

Members of the organising team said the initiative aims to address both social and environmental concerns by promoting reuse and reducing waste. They described it as a community-driven effort that enables residents to contribute in a structured and meaningful way.

Participants also expressed satisfaction with the initiative, noting that it offered a practical avenue to pass on unused items responsibly. Several donors said the platform helped ensure that their contributions reached beneficiaries who could use them.

With each successive edition, the donation camp has seen increasing participation, reflecting a growing awareness around sustainable living, responsible consumption and community engagement in the city.