Senior secondary students at The Springfield Anglican College have partnered up with clothing charity Thread Together to help distribute new clothes to vulnerable residents.
It is one of the school’s many programs designed to instil in its students the value of community service.
“Students are dedicated to helping support local social service agencies,” a representative for the College said.
The program aims to provide much needed support and compassion to those in crisis situations within the community, the school said on its Facebook page.
College Captain Hayden Nelson said, “It allowed me to hear the stories of new people and see their experiences [and to] help them in their time of need.”
Hayden also reflected on how important it is not to hold assumptions or prejudiced beliefs towards their circumstances.
According to Thread Together, one in every eight adults and one in six children do not have enough access to essential clothing.
“Disadvantage should not prevent people from [realising] their full potential,” the group says on its website.
The students and other volunteers travel in specially fitted-out vans called ‘mobile wardrobes’ directly to designated community housing and centres. They try to ensure all clients, no matter who they are, have plenty of choice in selecting garments that they feel suit them.
Thread Together partners up with manufacturers – such as Tommy Hilfiger, R.M.Williams, Nobody Denim, THE ICONIC P.E Nation, and many more – and charitable service groups, like The Springfield Anglican College. The initiative effectively rescues new clothing from heading to landfill. Roughly one-third of all clothing produced is otherwise thrown away.
Thread Together was founded in 2012 by entrepreneur Andie Halas.
“We are determined to keep supporting those doing it tough [and] providing dignity to those in need during their darkest times,” Ms Halas said.
Operations have continually expanded since then, with Brisbane distribution only beginning in February last year.
Brisbane volunteer coordinator Kate Littmann-Kelly said, “We visit a range of different government, community and church services including women’s homelessness services, refugee support organisations, services that support young people in the justice system or at risk of homelessness — really, any service supporting people who are doing it a bit tough.”
“We also assist in emergency situations where someone might have lost their clothing in a fire, flood or other disaster.”
The participation by The Springfield Anglican College mirrors the charitable efforts of Anglicare Southern Queensland, the community services body of Anglican Church Southern Queensland.
It follows the release earlier this year of Anglicare’s annual housing report – the Rental Affordability Snapshot – which found that availability and affordability of homes in Brisbane are at “record-breaking lows”.
Commenting on the report, Director of Services for Anglicare Southern Queensland Nick Hansen said, “We are seeing the impacts of a ‘perfect storm’ of adversity.”
For more information including how to volunteer, email info@threadtogether.org or visit the website. You can contact Anglicare Southern Queensland at info@anglicaresq.org.au or on 1300 610 610.
