An ageing, isolated population in affluent inner Sydney is emerging as a central hub for crisis relief.
Non-profit clothing charity Thread Together diverts new clothing from landfill to those in hardship.
It is expanding its Mobile Wardrobe van service to Rushcutters Bay and Kings Cross as well as to Mount Druitt, Parramatta, Campbelltown, and Newtown.
Operating on site at St Canice’s Kitchen, the charity’s addition to growing essential support services in the area highlights an invisible need in the area, it says.
“Expanding our reach, through collective collaboration, provides a very powerful and much needed expansion on the existing footprint,” CEO Anthony Chesler says.
“This means we can stand alongside more individuals and families during their most difficult times.”
WEALTHY BUT ISOLATED
As the cost-of-living crisis weighs down heavily, frontline organisations say that demand for practical support such as food, clothing and essential services is rising.
St Canice’s Parish Priest Father David said an ageing population that is socially isolated has been identified as a growing concern.
“In a city like Sydney, you can feel invisible very quickly,” he says.
“When someone can access a meal, clean clothes, and human connection all at once, it changes the way support is experienced.”
St Canice’s Kitchen attracts about 150 people each day; it offers food, clothing, laundry facilities and community services.
Their services have been boosted by the support of the PAYCE Foundation (click here for more about them), which focused on homelessness, housing vulnerable and the socially isolated across Sydney.
Last year, it gave $190,000 for Thread to run its nine mobile wardrobe vans; the charity operates nine nationally except for Northern Territory and ACT.
Foundation Director Sophie Boyd welcomed the announcement of Thread’s greater services.
“When organisations come together in one location, people can access practical support, connection and dignity in a single trusted space,” Boyd said.
“Supporting services like Thread Together helps ensure those doing it tough are not left behind, even in suburbs that may appear affluent.”
To learn more about Thread Together, visit www.threadtogether.org
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