Thread Together brings new mobile wardrobe service to Brisbane
News
A dedicated mobile wardrobe van based in Brisbane will service the greater Brisbane community enabling new clothing, shoes and accessories to be distributed to those in need. The mobile wardrobe van, sponsored by Bendon Lingerie, will be facilitated and run by Anglicare Southern Queensland and St Andrew’s Church, Indooroopilly
A dedicated mobile wardrobe van based in Brisbane will service the greater Brisbane community enabling new clothing, shoes and accessories to be distributed to those in need.
Thread Together is a global first, dedicated to taking excess new clothing from manufacturers and designers and redistributing it to vulnerable people within the community at no cost to the recipient.
Thread Together’s new specially outfitted mobile wardrobe van will provide access and choice to beautiful new clothing to the people of Brisbane providing them with much needed clothing in a dignified way.
Thread Together’s new specially outfitted mobile wardrobe van will provide access and choice to beautiful new clothing to the people of Brisbane providing them with much needed clothing in a dignified way
The mobile wardrobe van, sponsored by Bendon Lingerie, will be facilitated and run by Anglicare Southern Queensland and St Andrew’s Anglican Church, Indooroopilly.
Anglicare Southern Queensland with Thread Together assessed the needs of the Brisbane community and decided that a mobile wardrobe van based in Brisbane would be an asset to the greater Brisbane region.
The Brisbane, Redlands and Logan communities have been impacted by the global Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, causing socioeconomic disruption and uncertainty for those already struggling within the community. With a sharp rise in unemployment and homelessness, Thread Together’s mobile wardrobe will play a vital role in providing ongoing support to the vulnerable in need.
Anglicare Southern Queensland Executive Director Karen Crouch said the organisation was excited by the new partnership.
“In a society as wealthy and fortunate as ours, there is no reason for anyone to be left behind,” Ms Crouch said.
“The brand-new clothing that our services will now have access to will help to support men, women and young people who are doing it tough across South East Queensland.
“The people who will benefit already face significant barriers in many aspects of their lives, including accessing life’s basic essentials – shelter, food and clothing. This makes it difficult for them to feel like part of the community, when all they want is to make a contribution, be able to earn a living and provide for their themselves and their families.
“We all know the feeling that goes with a new outfit that we feel good in, even when it’s just a summer dress or a casual t-shirt. Choosing new clothing that feels good, and reflects our personalities and tastes, builds our confidence and self-esteem. This partnership will help more people access clothing that suits their needs in a dignified and empowering way.”
Anglicare Southern Queensland Executive Director Karen Crouch; The Rev’d Sue Grimmett, Priest-in-Charge at St Andrew’s Anglican Church of Indooroopilly; Yuggera Elder Steven C Coghill; and, Thread Together CEO Anthony Chesler at the official launch on 23 February 2021
Bendon Lingerie General Manager of Marketing Sonja Wilkinson said, “We are thankful to have partnered with Thread Together, providing a scalable solution for our excess stock, but it goes one more important step further. Empowering all women to feel confident and comfortable, and that is our whole reason for being.
“We know how important the right foundations are for women, as having the right fitting bra can make the difference in how a woman can feel about her day. New bras and underwear are often an overlooked category that vulnerable women do not have access to, and Thread Together takes our new excess product and delivers it directly to women in need.”
Through this new partnership with Thread Together, St Andrew’s and Anglicare Southern Queensland will drive the mobile wardrobe van to visit the community in and around Brisbane. All visits are established through local referral connections, such as community providers, local school principals, mental health providers and emergency relief services.
Anthony Chesler, CEO of Thread Together said, “The mobile wardrobe vans are an asset to our organisation and the metro and regional communities they visit, enabling us to facilitate outfitting anyone in need, anywhere they reside. We are thrilled to have a new mobile van, sponsored by Bendon Lingerie, to service the Brisbane community heavily impacted by the events of this year.”
About Thread Together
Thread Together was founded in 2012 by Andie Halas, whose family owned the successful swimwear manufacturer, Seafolly. Andie saw the potential for excess new clothing to support people in need. By collaborating with some of Australia’s largest clothing suppliers and connecting social service agencies, Thread Together has been able to change the future of people in crisis, as well as the future lifecycle of clothing and accessories. Through Thread Together, companies with too much can give to people who have too little.
Thread Together now clothes around 2,000 people each week and supports hundreds of charities – from Anglicare, St Vincent de Paul, The Salvation Army to Dress for Success. Thread Together employs and reengages long-term unemployed people, those on ‘work for the dole’ and general volunteers, as well as corporate volunteers as charity engagement activities.
“Our model is very simple. We collect end-of-line brand stock from clothing providers. With the support of volunteers, the clothes are sorted by age, gender and purpose, and then redistributed to people in need through charities and social service agencies across Australia. I think of it as redistributive justice,” Ms Halas said.
Currently 13.3 % of the population live below the poverty line in Australia, which equates to approximately 3.3 million people. There are numerous charities and organisations that cater to providing shelter and food – though Thread Together is the only major organisation that redistributes excess new clothing to those in need.
First published on the Anglicare Southern Queensland website on 23 February 2021.
Editor’s note: Find out more by watching this 10 News story video.
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