What we do

The Guild is a charity that collects new warm clothing for an annual distribution to other recognised charities in the Cape Town area in early winter

About us

The Clothing Guild distributes new warm clothing and blankets to the poor and needy people of Cape Town on an annual basis through a number of participating welfare organisations. The items distributed are either donated by supporters (who buy, sew or knit them) or are bought by the Guild with financial donations.

In 2026, the Guild's collection efforts resulted in an item count of 33 382. These were sorted and distributed at the Guild's 137th Sort & Distribution event in May 2026. Thirty-six welfare organisations in the Cape Town area received garments and blankets at the start of the Cape winter, which always brings challenging, cold and wet conditions. The Guild supports a wide range of organisations, including schools for the disabled, children's homes, hospitals, homes for the elderly and care homes. With financial donations, we are also able to support local manufacturers of clothing by ordering clothing and blankets for onward donation.

The Guild’s ultimate aim is to serve the disadvantaged in society with compassion by engendering self respect and dignity, and showing that we care.

"We Believe in New"

New warm clothes, bought, knitted or made with compassion to nurture self respect

Why New?

The time and thought given to buying or making a new garment demonstrates respect for an individual's worth and dignity. Many recipients of our garments have never before received a new piece of clothing. While second-hand garments are of great use to charitable organisations, as far as we know only the Clothing Guild gives away new garments on a large scale and on a highly organised basis. On the purely practical side, a new garment is also likely to be warmer and last much longer.

To bring warmth to the hearts of many, a helping hand is all we need