SHUB Pilot

Prior to departing the territory last year, Commissioner Julie Campbell approached Major Joanne Jellyman about the possibility of setting up a second-hand uniform back (SHUB). Current territorial uniform committee chairperson Lt-Colonel Liz Gainsford reports that this project is now well underway with Joanne leading the charge. 

‘Joanne has taken up the project with great enthusiasm but, yes, I came up with the acronym, and it seems to have stuck,’ laughs Liz.  

SHUB’s mission is to ensure that Salvation Army uniforms are available to everyone. 

‘The cost of a brand-new uniform can be prohibitive, so SHUB is an innovative way to repurpose pre-loved uniforms—perhaps that no longer fit or are no longer in use—and support those who want to wear uniform to do so proudly,’ explains Liz.  

The first SHUB has been piloted at Palmerston North Corps for the past six months. 

‘SHUB has already assisted 12 people, which is pretty good for something that is not well known yet,’ says Liz. ‘SHUB has a whole range of uniforms, not just formal wear but also workday uniform as well as witness wear.’ 

So how does it work and are there other SHUB’s around the country? Alongside Palmerston North, Auckland City Corps has a space that is being set up as a SHUB. Hamilton City Corps is about to come online, and conversations are underway with possible sites for a South Island SHUB.  

The process is simple; anyone wanting to donate a uniform does so through their local corps, with Area Officers picking uniforms up and delivering them to the SHUBs as they move around their regions. In terms of accessing uniforms, people can pop into a SHUB or call. There is a nationwide cataloging system which enables easy sharing of information. If your local SHUB doesn’t have what you need, another SHUB may. Uniforms are then couriered to local corps where they can be picked up directly. And the best part—the uniforms are all free! 

‘This is a real passion project for Joanne, and I am so thrilled that she is on board. She is a wonderful evangelist for it! Wellington is her next target, so we’d love to hear from anyone keen to get involved,’ says Liz.