Recycling to raise money

The clothing swap raised $540 for the Gisborne food bank(supplied).

Local clothing swap raised $540 over the weekend for the Gisborne food bank, while bringing the community together and reducing clothing waste.

Faithworks Church in Gisborne kicked off the ladies clothing swap on Friday, May 5, with 60 to 70 people turning out to donate clothes, find clothes and socialise.

Event organiser Kerri Matthews said they had more people attend the swap then was expected and the weekend was a success.

“We raised $350 on the Friday and we then opened up on Saturday and Sunday,” Ms Matthews said.

“It was amazing…. the woman said this was a great idea and we should do this for kids and other clothes [in the future].”

Ms Matthews said the leftover clothes got donated to Teen Challenge for its op shop stores, or to be sold to be made into rags if they were not suitable for the op shop.

One Facebook user commented that the swap “is such a clever way to clean out your wardrobe, bring home some new clothes, donate to charity and meet new people all at the same time.”

Ms Matthews said this comment was the perfect way to sum up the weekend and they will be looking forward to holding another one in the future.

Zoe Moffatt