Anne Parisianne
Underworks will donate 30,000 essential clothing items to vulnerable Australians this year.
The initiative comes as alarming figures reveal tens of thousandsof people experiencing homelessness each night this winter, with cold weather posing life-threatening risks for those without warm clothing.
Foodbank Victoria in Yarraville and other Underworks charity partners—Thread Together, The Salvation Army, and The Good Box—will distribute the donations.
These efforts are part of the I Give A Sock 2024 program, which provides essential clothing items such as socks, underwear, and thermal underlayers to Australians in need.
The donations from Underworks aim to provide much-needed relief to those experiencing homelessness this winter.
Underworks chief executive Sam Todaro said the importance of warm clothing should not be overlooked, especially over the colder months.
“Cold temperatures can be life-threatening, and those sleeping rough are particularly at risk of developing significant health issues,” he said.
“Warm clothes help to provide insulation and retain body heat, but they also help protect against harsh weather conditions.
“We know this from working with various charity partners and want to support those who need it most.”
Foodbank Victoria chief executive Dave McNamara said, “Every day across Victoria, we’re supporting 65,000 people with a lovely, warm nutritious meal.
“Demand is soaring and people are turning up to our farmers’ markets in the middle of winter in thongs or bare feet because they can’t even afford the basics. It’s why ‘I Give A Sock’ matters so much,” he said.
“Our partnership with Underworks makes perfect sense. It ensures there’s access not only to healthy food, but to quality socks and thermals to make sure more families and individuals feel nourished and warm during this trying winter time.”
Details: underworks.com.au
