Underworks to provide essential winter clothing for those in need

In response to alarming statistics revealing that tens of thousands of Australians who are experiencing homelessness this winter, Underworks is committed to donating 30,000 essential clothing items in 2024.

The I Give A Sock 2024 initiative supplies clothing, including socks, underwear, and thermal layers, to those in need, ensuring they stay warm as temperatures fall to critical lows.

“Cold temperatures can be life-threatening and those sleeping rough are particularly at risk of developing significant health issues,” Underworks CEO Sam Todaro 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.”

Socks, often one of the least donated items, play a critical role in preventing blisters, sores, and foot infections, making their donation especially crucial this winter.

These donations will be distributed through Underworks' charity partners, including Foodbank Victoria, Thread Together, The Good Box, and The Salvation Army.

“We've recognised that keeping feet warm and healthy is a really important thing for the ongoing wellbeing of people sleeping rough,” The Salvation Army’s public relations secretary for Victoria Major Warren Elliott said.

“We really want to give out new, good quality socks if we possibly can – it can really make a difference for people.”

For organisations like The Salvation Army, maintaining a stock of donations is vital to ensure that “nobody slips through the cracks” in accessing these essential items.

“Having them there ready to give out is really important, it saves a whole lot of other hassles with having to make appointments and turn up at the right time,” Major Elliott told CBD News.

“When they’re at our place, we can assess the situation really quickly and hopefully meet some of those needs straight away.”