Clothing Charity Common to Close After Grant Denials

A clothing charity known as Common has announced its imminent closure after repeated denials of financial grants. The organization, which has been serving the community for the past seven years, provides clothing sourced from public donations and excess stock from retailers. Despite their efforts, Common has faced significant financial challenges, leading to the decision to cease operations by mid-December 2023.

Located in Eden Terrace, Common has distributed over 65,000 pieces of clothing to approximately 30 social services, including Rainbow Youth and Victim Support. The charity’s co-founders, Charli Cox and Tracey Creed, expressed their disappointment after applying for grants totaling more than $250,000 this year alone, all of which were declined.

Cox remarked on the situation, stating, “Kind of no other option really than for this to be a reality, definitely not from a lack of determination. We will cease operations as of the end of the year.” The financial strain has been compounded by a perception that clothing is less essential than food or shelter when it comes to funding priorities. Creed emphasized this issue, explaining that many do not recognize the importance of clothing for individuals’ social participation and acceptance.

In addition to funding shortages, Creed highlighted the broader environmental issue of textile waste. Approximately 180,000 tonnes of clothing end up in landfills each year, prompting her to call for legislative changes that would encourage retailers to donate rather than dispose of unsold garments. “There’s no laws in place that prevent that from happening; the cost of landfilling it is relatively cheap,” she added.

Despite the closure, the community’s need for clothing continues to grow. The number of social services supported by Common has doubled since the end of last year. Among these is Pillars, an organization that aids children and families impacted by incarceration. Social workers from Pillars, Sulia Jackson and Sara Diana, expressed their concern over the impending loss of support. Diana stated, “It’s devastating to hear this news. The impact that this has on our communities for many of the whanau that we support, clothing takes a back seat.”

While some funding is available through Work and Income, Diana noted the complexities involved in accessing this assistance. “Even just the hurdles that they face trying to get someone on the phone to assess their applications of assistance is incredibly challenging.” She questioned the fate of the clothing that Common has provided, wondering, “If not to families in need, where will this clothing end up – in the landfill?”

Common plans to continue its operations until mid-December, aiming to distribute as much clothing as possible to those in need before its closure. The organization’s commitment to the community remains strong, even in the face of significant challenges. As the charity prepares to close its doors, the need for accessible clothing solutions in the community has never been more urgent.