CLOTHING Coventry has once again appealed for support after last-minute funding allowed them to continue its vital service of providing clothes to the needy- but only until the end of the year.
In April, the Observer reported the charity was facing the prospect of closing its warehouse and laying off its four staff members next month.
It has been able to secure funding since then, including a Postcode Lottery grant which means its uniform service will be continuing until at least September 2024.
However, the warehouse could still close after Christmas unless more cash is secured, and they have already had to tell their driver he will be leaving them at the end of August.
Their warehouse manager is also being kept on the payroll on a month-by-month basis in the hope more funding comes in.
Clothing Coventry’s struggles come at a time when its services are needed more than ever.
Since the start of 2023, they have handed out almost 3,000 clothing parcels compared to 1,600 in total throughout last year.
The staggering yearly total has skyrocketed since the Observer last spoke to Clothing Coventry just three months ago, at which point they had handed out 1,100 parcels.
Clothing Coventry was formed in 2020 and is the only project in the city to offer access to clothes for those in need, including those who are homeless and asylum seekers.
They also have 13 community clothes rails at venues across Coventry where people can help themselves to the items they need.
Founder Katie Wilson said the charity has ‘promising funding prospects’ but the application process has been taking a long time.
She said: “Demand has gone absolutely crazy both at our school uniform drop-in centre and our clothing warehouse, people really need this service.
“It was heartbreaking to let our driver go, we haven’t long told him and are still trying to process it.
“I will be taking over driving duties over the next few months while we figure something else out.
“We are in a more promising position than we were three months ago but the warehouse isn’t safe yet, so any help people could give would be really appreciated.”
Katie added it costs £10 to pack and deliver each clothing parcel.
Visit https://clothingcoventry.org/ to donate to Clothing Coventry via its JustGiving page or email [email protected] if you know of any funding opportunities.
