Australian clothing charity Thread Together has been awarded a US$200,000 grant from Visa Foundation to support the not-for-profit’s mission in redistributing surplus new clothing to people experiencing hardship.
Thread Together will use the grant to expand its national service delivery model. Funding will also support the growth of its wardrobe and capsule services within women’s shelters, helping provide women and children escaping family and domestic violence with immediate access to essential clothing on arrival.
This includes strengthening the charity’s reach into regional and remote communities, where access to clothing support is often limited.
Visa Foundation is providing the grant as a part of its Visa Foundation Gives program, an ongoing initiative dedicated to addressing local social issues in the communities where Visa employees live and work.
The initiative will also provide Visa employees opportunities to volunteer with Thread Together.
“With support from Visa Foundation, we can reach more people at critical moments with brand-new clothing that restores dignity and confidence,” Thread Together CEO Anthony Chesler said.
“It will also help us expand into women’s shelters and regional communities, while continuing to turn new and surplus clothing into meaningful support for people who need it most.”
Visa Group’s Oceania country manager, Alan Machet, said this will also drive Thread Together’s sub-goal in diverting new clothes from landfill.
“It’s helping Australians get back on their feet, while also reducing the amount of clothing going to landfill,” Machet said. “Visa believes commerce can be a force for good, and we’re proud to support Visa Foundation's partnership with Thread Together, which brings that to life in such a practical way.”
Thread Together is an Australian charity founded in 2012. The organisation works with over 2,000 fashion brands and more than 2,300 community partners nationwide.