SAFE Work clothing drive brings work clothes to the less fortunate

The WCB of Manitoba is partnering with Mark’s Work Wearhouse and Siloam Mission to collect safety apparel for Winnipeggers who can’t afford it. The SAFE Work clothing drive encourages Mark’s Work Wearhouse customers to drop off their previously worn safety and work apparel at any Winnipeg Mark’s location. The donations will be shipped to Siloam Mission, where they will be distributed to Winnipeggers who want to work, but are unable to afford proper safety clothing.

“Everyone has the right to be safe and healthy at work,” says WCB Chairperson Tom Farrell. “People should be able to enter the workforce without worrying whether they will be as well-protected as their co-workers. No one should be reluctant to pursue employment because they don’t have enough money for safe and warm clothing.”

Siloam Mission is a Christian humanitarian agency that has been serving Winnipeg’s less fortunate for over 20 years. Every day, Siloam is visited by up to 500 people – that’s one quarter of Winnipeg’s estimated homeless population. Staff and volunteers at Siloam are very aware of the barriers homeless people face when seeking employment in a workforce that, for them, may appear prohibitive and unwelcoming.

“Our patrons face challenges and obstacles that many of us in society simply don’t consider,” says Siloam Mission CEO John Mohan. “For the poor and homeless who are moving forward in life and looking for work, proper work clothing is important to helping them get the jobs they need.”

Siloam also runs a program called MOST (Mission: Off the Street Team) where patrons earn a wage as they work on downtown beautification projects, including collecting debris and litter, shovelling snow and sweeping streets. MOST trainees, as well as the working poor who visit Siloam’s dining room and patrons who stay at their emergency shelter, will benefit directly from generous Mark’s customers’ donations, and will be able to provide clothing to even more patrons as the program expands over time.

Mark’s Work Wearhouse, a leading work clothing retailer in Canada, has spent the fall promoting workplace safety at its six Winnipeg locations as a SAFE Work supporter.

“Every time we try something new, our customers are quick to support our efforts,” says Adam Gaiser, Mark’s Regional Director of Store Operations. “Our Winnipeg customers knew there was a need, so we provided them with a way to make a difference in their own communities. We’re already seeing a great response to this successful partnership.”

Donations to the SAFE Work clothing drive can be made at any Mark’s Work Wearhouse location in Winnipeg.

For more information, please contact:
Warren Preece, Director of Communications
WCB Manitoba
(204) 954-4113