In Naples, a charity wardrobe donates clothes and restores dignity.

A new service supporting vulnerable individuals experiencing financial hardship has been available since the beginning of July in Naples: the Fondazione Progetto Arca Solidarity Wardrobe . It is housed within the Emporio Solidale San Giuseppe (Piazza Capri 1), a property confiscated from organized crime and assigned by the City of Naples to the Il Sorriso association, which has been running a solidarity market there for five years, providing food support to many vulnerable families experiencing financial hardship.

300 people now have the opportunity to choose and collect clothes for free in this new clothing corner, made possible thanks to Progetto Arca's collaboration with H&M Italia , which is helping to donate the furniture and clothing.

A welcoming environment where people are invited to try on the clothing and accessories they need for everyday life, guided by volunteers who help them choose based on their needs and personal taste. This service transcends the welfare-based concept of pre-packaged clothing kits, differentiated only by size and gender, because it allows people to observe and choose, thus supporting each person's individuality and restoring their dignity .

Each person, adult or child, can choose one item per month, accessing the cloakroom during the two opening days of the week (Tuesday and Thursday, 5–7 p.m.). The beneficiaries are the same members of the Emporium , selected by the parish center, which works in conjunction with social services and other local organizations.

" The solidarity wardrobe is a place of inclusion, where people find a quick and concrete solution to a material need, and also have the opportunity to connect with and learn about other services and start relationships that are crucial to their social reintegration," comments Alberto Sinigallia, president of Progetto Arca.

" In Naples, we've been collaborating for years with the Angeli di Strada Villanova association to distribute meals daily through the Mobile Kitchen , the traveling food truck we launched three years ago. Today, we're launching a new collaboration with our friends at Il Sorriso to provide concrete support to people experiencing poverty and social exclusion: our mission for over 30 years," Sinigallia concludes.

Progetto Arca's Neapolitan solidarity wardrobe with H&M Italia is the third in Italy , after the one in Milan, inaugurated in September last year, and the one in Rome, active for 5 months.

"Progetto Arca's commitment to promoting social inclusion and supporting the most vulnerable deeply resonates with H&M's values. After the positive experiences in Milan and Rome, we are particularly proud to be able to contribute to Naples, a city rich in energy and human potential," confirms Francesca L'Abbate , Sustainability Manager at H&M Italy. " For us, being actively present in the Neapolitan area means strengthening our ties with the local community, promoting solidarity, and revitalizing resources through circularity. Thanks to our collaboration with Progetto Arca, we can transform clothing and furnishings into concrete tools for inclusion and rebirth."

"Once again, the Parish of San Giuseppe and Madonna di Lourdes, together with the Il Sorriso association and with the invaluable support of Progetto Arca, adds a new piece to our journey of service to the poorest. The inauguration of the solidarity wardrobe represents not only concrete help for the 300 families we assist monthly, but also the beginning of new collaborations with organizations and associations that choose to serve the most vulnerable," says Father Fulvio, president of Il Sorriso.

"It's a precious opportunity to strengthen our support for the most vulnerable and to cultivate genuine friendships with all those who share this commitment," he concludes.

The solidarity wardrobe in the pictures – photo from the press office

Tags:
• Naples
• Poverty
• Solidarity
• Volunteering