Clothing hung on a Wall of Kindness in Zhengzhou city, Central China's Henan province on Feb 3, 2016. [Photo provided to China Daily]

When clothes were first hung on the wall, passers-by thought they were for sale, said Wang, but after they learned the truth, people slowly started to come up and try them on.

"This is a simple, immediate way of helping people and it makes my spare clothing useful to others," said Qingdao native Tan Jing, who was dropping her second load of clothing off at the wall in two days.

Wang has been touched by people's generosity. "Some of the clothing is practically new. I don't even have to wash my hands after sorting it," she said.

Jiang Tao, publicity director for the China Philanthropy Research Institute, said the initiative removes the stigma of people having to ask for charity.

Contact the writer at huoyan@chinadaily.com.cn

Xinhua contributed to this story.