Mobile wardrobes stocked with new clothing visit Limestone Coast

A MOBILE clothing service operated by not-for-profit partners AnglicareSA and Thread Together is on the way to the Limestone Coast to provide new threads to people doing it tough.

Thanks to support from CMI Toyota’s CMV Foundation and an RAA grassroots giving sponsorship, the colourful "mobile wardrobes" are visiting Mount Gambier and Millicent on Wednesday and Thursday.

Earlier this year, the program supported its 15,000th individual in South Australia as it continues to take excess stock from Australian fashion stores and use vans to deliver the clothes to communities in need, such as people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

AnglicareSA community services executive general manager Nancy Penna said the simple initiative had a profound impact on people working to turn their lives around.

“We all know how much clothing helps to define who we are and how we feel,” she 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.

“Regional communities in South Australia face unique economic and social challenges with limited access to support services – our mobile wardrobes enable us to reach people in these areas.

“Our partnership with Thread Together is just one example of our commitment to support the South Australian community — today, tomorrow and into the future.”

ac.care is working with AnglicareSA to refer clients in Mount Gambier and Millicent to the mobile wardrobe service.

ac.care Limestone Coast Homelessness Service support worker Kelly McGuinness said clients were looking forward to the regional visits by the mobile clothing service.

“Our staff work very closely with clients to help vulnerable people access sustainable housing and other support and it is wonderful to see this additional service on the way through our collaboration with AnglicareSA and Thread Together,” she said.

“A new set of clothes can make a remarkable difference to someone’s self-esteem and sense of dignity, especially if they have interviews for employment, housing or other commitments coming up.

“This donation of clothing will allow those trying to secure a better future to take pride in their appearance without having to choose between updating their wardrobe or meeting other essential costs of living.”

Since launching in April 2018, the Anglicare SA and Thread Together partnership has prevented more than 150,000 items of new clothing (valued at an estimated $12m) ending up in landfill.

During 2020, the program delivered clothes to nearly 3000 South Australians, including people affected by the Kangaroo Island and Adelaide Hills bushfires and others impacted during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.