Clothing giveaway to cater to Nelson-Tasman's growing need

Monday, 10 August 2020

A Nelson charity is throwing open its doors with a giveaway to help clothe Nelson-Tasman children.

Helping Families Nelson founder Kristy Rowe said anyone in need can come and help themselves to items at Saturday’s event at Richmond’s Headingly Centre.

“Anyone going through hard times whose kids are cold.”

Over the last few months, Rowe said she had seen a wider range of people accessing her charity, which helps people with clothing and household goods.

Job losses meant that some who had been “just surviving” pre-Covid struck were now struggling, she said.

“People that have lost their job, or had their income stripped right back. They’re struggling because they’re still having to pay rent or mortgages.”

Saturday’s event will be exclusively children’s clothing, but Helping Families runs several open days a year. Most of the events were for clothing, but closer to Christmas there is a toy giveaway.

The charity has grown rapidly since its inception three years ago. Rowe was grateful from the help she’d had from the community, including Richmond Rotary Club which had pitched in to help them operate for more hours each week.

Anyone who wanted to help out could donate good quality secondhand or new clothes. The charity also had a Givealittle page for donations, which are used to fill gaps in stock.

The giveaway will run from 10am-12pm on August 15 at the Headingly Centre on 2 Headingly Lane, Richmond.

You can also access Helping Families on Tuesdays from 10am-1pm and Fridays from 1pm-3pm and the first Saturday of each month from 10am-12pm. They are located on Lower Queen St, close to the Headingly Centre.