Free Clothing Store – The Street Store
Probably a thought that has crossed very few people’s minds as they shop for that perfect shirt or skirt in just the right colour, is the fact that some people may never have the chance in their life to choose an item of clothing off a rack. Some have not had the privilege of choosing the perfect item with the ideal fit… until now.
While donations to the less fortunate are always a blessing, there is something incredibly special to allow a person the space, time and opportunity to pick something they like. And this is exactly what happened recently at the launch of the 270th Worldwide Street Store on 25 July 2015.
Items were donated by the community prior to the event and the homeless or less fortunate were invited to fill the needs in their wardrobe. Whether it be a man who needed warm shoes for his cold winter trek to work each morning which provided only enough money for food and little else, or a baby that needed some warm gloves, from a little girl whose eyes delighted when she saw a flowery pink shirt perfect for her frame, or a mother who finally got a blanket for herself after meeting her children’s daily needs, the day was an immense success. People who came in the dozens to look through droves of boxes were also given an item of new underwear, accompanied by hot soup and a bun.
In collaboration with Roepingsbond, the event took place at the fence and parking area of the Bambino Building, cnr Beatty Avenue and Rhodes Street. With a full team of volunteers hoping to assist in anyway, the times listed from 09:00 to 14:00 fell aside when the event ended prematurely due to its huge success.
All clothes, blankets, socks and shoes found an owner that morning in record time. However, the needs continue daily and there is still opportunity to donate any old clothes to their new Store, The Roepingsbond Charity Store that opened on the day of the event. For any donations, please feel free to contact Hendrik Jones on 082 956 7658. Cash donations are also welcome.
The first store was founded in January 2014 in collaboration with the Napier Haven Night Shelter. There are now over 200 across the world, helping people across our country from Witbank to Cape Town and as far as Brussells, Kuala Lampur and San Diego. There is an international need for the less fortunate to be heard and you now have an opportunity to be a part of this movement in our own city.
The Street Store can only bless the community though the donations they received. See their Thank You note here: Street Store – 25 July
Article By: Stacey Venter | Photos By: Carminda Swanepoel