Small Project: $5 Bag Clothes

What we did

A new op-shop opened with big bins of clothes and a simple deal: five dollars to fill a bag.

I’d go through the bins slowly, picking things I thought would actually look good on people in my community—not just “clothes,” but clothes someone might feel good wearing.

Then I’d take them to Food Not Bombs Hobart and distribute them alongside the food.

Why this mattered

Clothing is about more than staying warm. It’s about dignity, style, being seen. I wanted people to get things that felt chosen for them, not just handed to them.

What happened

People tried things on, laughed, swapped, gave opinions. Some found something that suddenly felt like “them.” You could see posture change when someone put on the right jacket or dress.

What we learned

Care can be quiet. It can look like standing over a bin for an hour thinking, “Who would love this?” Small choices carry big meaning.

Next small step

Keep noticing what people actually like—not just what they need.

More Small projects:

• Small Project: Tip Shop Trolleys
• Small Project: $5 Bag Clothes
• Small Project: Starting a Rock Band (and Ending It Well)
• Small Project: Shoes That Fit
• Small Project: Free Bread, Shared