Dana Cisneros, 49, combed through Kokua Corner, the Institute for Human Services’ free thrift shop, on Saturday looking for appropriate clothing to wear to a job interview.

Cisneros was overjoyed by the apparel, which she sees as essential to helping her find a job, a crucial step in transitioning out of the homeless shelter where she has lived the past three months.

“When I moved out of a difficult family situation, I left with just my purse and the clothes on my back,” Cisneros said. “I left my jobs at Teddy’s Bigger Burger and the Times Supermarket because I was too embarrassed to go to work unclean. I was living in the park and I was rinsing my hair out with a cup of water from the bathroom sink. It was horrifying.”

Cisneros is just one of an average of 1,350 people who visit Kokua Corner each year looking for materials to help restore the fabric of their lives. She left with a couple of dresses and renewed confidence in her ability to put her best foot forward for potential employers.

But Kimo Carvalho, IHS community relations director, said there’s a lot more need.

Some of it might be fulfilled if generous donors participant in the eighth annual Locations Foundation Clothing Drive, which kicks off Monday. The event, run by the charitable arm of the Locations real estate firm, benefits IHS and two other local nonprofits, the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Hawaii and the Partners in Development Ka Paalana Homeless Family Education Program.

“We want to collect at least 10,000 pounds of clothing,” said Mike Marks, Locations vice president of customer engagement. The company’s foundation, which is supported by 70 percent of its associates, will give $1 for each pound of clothing donated, up to $15,000, he said.

Marks said he’s hoping the community will embrace the drive, which runs through Friday. Locations offices and kiosks at Windward and Pearlridge malls will accept lightly used clothing and professional apparel, shoes, slippers, linens, towels and toiletries.

Since its inception in 2011, the Locations clothing drive has collected nearly 40,000 pounds of clothing. Marks said he’s hoping potential donors will remember Cisneros’ story and realize the unused items in their closets “could have a major impact on people’s lives and their livelihoods.”

Cisneros said visits to Kokua Corner and access to a proper bed and bath have restored the confidence she lost during her first unsheltered stint.

“I want potential donors to know that this was integral for me,” she said. “Being able to get up and put on clean clothes is necessary for all humans, especially women. I’ve had the confidence to go out and look for a new job since I can put my best foot forward to show an employer that I could be an asset to their company.”

Carvalho said it’s important Hawaii residents support the Locations clothing drive, which is one of the largest of the 10 that benefit Kokua Center annually.

“The state government has set a new ambitious goal to move homeless people into permanent housing within three months. Moving people quicker through IHS brings in more shoppers,” Carvalho said.

IHS helped 1,742 people move into permanent housing last year, up 1 percent from the prior year, Carvalho said. The organization also is serving more people in its emergency shelters, where the number of residents grew 6 percent to 1,842 last year, he said.

“IHS used to open Kokua Center three days a week, but we started offering daily hours in January. We have to restock frequently,” Carvalho said.

Donations also are accepted 24 hours a day at Kokua Corner, 456 Kaaahi St. in Iwilei, but items left there won’t be counted toward the Locations matching donation drive. Call 447-2800 for more information.