After emerging from devastating bushfires only to face the escalating threat of the coronavirus pandemic, the AnglicareSA Thread Together partnership is proving to be more important than ever.
Last month, the partnership supported its 10,000th customer, as it continues to take unsold stock from Australian fashion stores and provide it to South Australians doing it tough.
The clothing is delivered to anyone in need, from women fleeing domestic violence, to the long-term unemployed and people experiencing homelessness.
AnglicareSA CEO Peter Sandeman said the simple initiative has had a profound impact on people’s dignity, pride, and ability to turn their lives around.
“We all know how much clothing helps to define who we are and how we feel,” he said.
“For those who are experiencing hardship and social exclusion, access to new clothing plays an even bigger role in enabling dignity, choice and self-esteem.”
AnglicareSA first teamed up with NSW-based charity Thread Together in 2018, launching Australia’s first mobile wardrobe vans to deliver brand new clothes directly to those in need.
In 2019, the service was extended with the opening of a South Australian-first clothing hub in North Adelaide.
Support through bushfires, COVID-19 pandemic
AnglicareSA’s Thread Together program has supported 230 people affected by the Adelaide Hills’ bushfires, with a further 180 packages so far delivered to people during COVID-19.
“With the devastating bushfires and now a global pandemic — we’re seeing people who have never traditionally needed support finding themselves in vulnerable situations,” Mr Sandeman said.
“We’ve been helping families who’ve lost almost everything to replenish their wardrobes so they can get back to normality as soon as possible.
“Now with COVID-19, we’ve been taking online and phone orders, delivering tailored clothing packages across Adelaide to those who are doing it tough.
“Domestic violence, poverty and homelessness do not stop during a pandemic – in many cases people’s situations are only getting worse.
“Our partnership with Thread Together is now more important than ever. It’s just one example of our commitment to support South Australians who need it most — today, tomorrow and into the future.”
