Regional Clothing Initiative Faces Challenges Amidst Cost of Living Crisis
A vital program providing clothing to vulnerable individuals in regional Victoria is facing increasing challenges as donations dwindle amidst the ongoing cost of living crisis.
The initiative, a collaboration between Australian charity Thread Together and Child and Family Services Ballarat (Cafs), operates through a central hub in Ballarat and a mobile wardrobe van, serving individuals across the Central Highlands region.
While the program has witnessed a surge in demand, with over 19,500 items distributed to approximately 2,300 clients in the past year, the flow of donations from retail partners has significantly decreased.
This decline in donations is attributed to the ripple effect of the cost of living crisis, with retail partners like Myer and Bonds producing less stock and experiencing reduced excess inventory.
The situation is further compounded by a sharp rise in demand for homelessness services among employed individuals in Victoria. A report by the Council to Homeless Persons revealed a 14% increase in employed individuals seeking assistance statewide, with Ballarat experiencing a particularly significant rise of 112 individuals compared to two years prior.
Employed women constitute the majority of this growth, placing Ballarat ahead of Melbourne in terms of working individuals utilizing homelessness services. Other regional areas like Greater Bendigo, Greater Shepparton, and Mildura also feature prominently in the top 10.
In response to these challenges, Cafs Thread Together is actively seeking additional retail partners, particularly in the lead-up to winter when demand is expected to escalate further.
"We'd really love to have local businesses donating and seeing their excess is going to people in the local community," said Ms. Roberts, program and volunteer lead.