The McLaren Vale Business and Tourism Association has broadened its reach this winter, helping to run a clothing drive for a nearby community.

Becoming aware of a need for warm clothing, particularly for men and boys, the Association spearheaded a month long winter clothing drive for the Hackham West Community Centre.

The Centre runs an on-site cafe and kitchen serving free and low cost meals five days a week. It also has an Op Shop of the 'old school' variety, with genuinely low cost items.  

Adult Community Education Coordinator Anne Rhodes says in many cases, they encounter such high levels of need that the clothing and bedding is bundled up and provided for free.  

This year, at the start of winter they had a low level of donations and were unable to provide decent shoes, socks or men’s clothing.  

This is where the McLaren Vale community was able to contribute.  

With the help of The Bloke Shop and Meeting Place MV, donations were received in the hundreds.  

Mark Potter for The Meeting Place created a social media post offering a free coffee for everyone who brought in donations and many free coffees later the donations from that venue alone filled three car loads.  

In all, the winter clothing drive resulted in so many donations to Hackham West that the Centre has managed to put some away into storage for next winter.