Vinnies wants you to Bring Your Best

Vinnies NSW has today launched their biggest and best clothing collection. Over 72 hours, they’re bringing NSW together for a clothing drive that is bigger than Ben Hur, asking people to come together and donate as much as possible in one big effort.

Kicking off with a giant 4-metre-high Vinnies donation box popping up in the heart of the CBD, Vinnies is encouraging Sydneysiders to donate their quality preloved clothing and help enable them to raise funds for vulnerable communities.

Surrounding the bin will be 50 miniature donation boxes, available for businesses to take to their offices, fill up with clothing donations and Vinnies will come and collect it when the box is full. If you can’t make it into the city this week, all 225 Vinnies Shops across NSW are also welcoming your clothing donations.

“We’re calling on Sydneysiders to declutter, clear out their unworn items and help Vinnies generate funding for the critical services and care people need every day,” says Vinnies NSW Director of Retail and Logistics Virginia Boyd.

“With the cost-of-living crisis, not everyone can afford to make a financial donation to charities, but everyone has something in their wardrobe that they don’t need anymore. Think of a clothing donation to Vinnies Shops as a financial donation to Vinnies - every donation helps. Money raised from our shops goes towards assisting those who need food, shelter, crisis support, and a wide range of services for people experiencing hardship and disadvantage,” said Ms Boyd.

Vinnies has enlisted Jules Robinson and Brittney Hockley, as well as a host of influencers, to launch the campaign and help spread the word about the tangible impact donating clothes can have on people who are doing it tough. Jules and Britt will be clearing out their closest and donating some of their best clothing to help fill the giant donation box.  

“We want to start conversations about the real value of clothing donations. A pair of shoes could provide someone with a food hamper; your unworn coat could go towards the cost of running short term accommodation for a woman escaping violence; or your jeans that don’t quite fit anymore could help pay someone’s rent for a month,” says Ms Boyd.

Close to 100,000 people have been supported by Vinnies NSW members over the last year, an increase of 14% over the past 12 months. A further 11,800 people were supported by Vinnies NSW Services across Homelessness and Housing, Health, and Disability and Inclusion, while Vinnies Vans assisted over 100,000 people across the state.

Vinnies operates 225 Vinnies Shops across NSW, with the retail network being a pivotal stream of revenue, enabling over 130 programs and services for people who are experiencing disadvantage.

Bring Your Best event details:

Where: 255 George Street, Sydney

When: Tuesday 22 October – Thursday 24 October

Time: 8am – 5pm each day

The main big box will be open for donations for three days. The smaller boxes will be on offer on Day 1 for people to take to their offices, fill up and bring back on Day 2 or 3.