Clothe the Homeless is a monthly street outreach run by House of Sadaqa volunteers at Martin Place in the Sydney CBD, distributing clothing, shoes, sleeping bags, socks, gloves and beanies to people sleeping rough. It has been running for years, and it is one of the easiest ways to get involved.
How a run works
Volunteers gather, load the vans, and set up in the city. Items are sorted so people can choose what they actually need rather than being handed a bundle. That distinction matters more than it might seem. Choosing your own jacket in your own size is a small restoration of dignity for someone who has very little control over their circumstances.
We work alongside other community groups doing similar outreach, including Brothers In Need, whose homeless outreach program has partnered with ours for years.
What we hand out
- Clothing, particularly warm layers and weatherproof jackets
- Shoes, which wear out fast when you walk all day
- Sleeping bags and blankets
- Socks, underwear, gloves and beanies
Socks and underwear are the least glamorous and most requested items on any outreach run, because they cannot be washed easily and they are rarely donated.
Why the city, and why monthly
Inner-city Sydney records the highest concentration of rough sleeping in the state, with 296 people counted in the 2026 NSW Street Count. Consistency matters as much as location. Turning up at the same place on a regular cycle means people know when help is coming and can plan around it.
Joining a run
You do not need experience. Most of the work is straightforward: sorting, setting up, handing out items and talking with people. If you have never done outreach before, expect it to be less confronting and more ordinary than you imagine. Mostly it is conversation.
Register through our volunteer page and we will let you know when the next run is scheduled. Our guide to volunteering in Sydney covers the other ways to help.
If you would rather contribute materially, donations fund the sleeping bags and winter essentials we hand out. See what to donate to a homeless outreach before dropping items off.
Frequently asked questions
Where does Clothe the Homeless operate?
At Martin Place in the Sydney CBD, on a monthly cycle.
Can anyone volunteer on an outreach run?
Yes. No experience is needed, and most roles involve sorting items, setting up and speaking with people. Register through our volunteer page and we will tell you when the next run is on.
What items are most needed?
Socks, underwear, shoes, warm layers and sleeping bags. Socks and underwear are the most requested and least donated items.
Do you work with other organisations?
Yes. We have collaborated with community groups including Brothers In Need on homeless outreach at Martin Place.
Can I donate items instead of volunteering?
Yes, though please check what we currently accept first, since storage and sorting capacity is limited and some items cannot be distributed.
Support the work behind this article
House of Sadaqa is a registered Australian charity helping local families in crisis with household essentials, whitegoods and emergency relief. There are three direct ways to be part of it:
- Donate, with donations over $2 tax-deductible
- Volunteer your time in the warehouse, on outreach runs, or at events
- Clear a NSW fine through a Work and Development Order
You can also support us without donating a cent, simply by choosing one of our social enterprises. Each one puts its profits back into supporting families:
- Goodwill Connect, NBN internet for Greater Sydney
- Panda Paper, premium bamboo toilet paper delivered to your door
- The Goodwill Laundry, self-serve laundry in Bankstown
- The Goodwill Shop, our op-shops in Revesby and Bankstown