Donate to The Street Store in Northmead

A dignified shopping experience for homeless people.

Hennie Pieters smiles as he holds a warm cup of soup sitting next to plastic bags with clothes he received at The Street Store. Photo: Masi Losi.

Mandela Day is fast approaching (July 18) and Northmead Square is again appealing for donations to help make their The Street Store event a success again this year.

In association with the City Times, this event will see the sidewalk in 14th Avenue transformed into a dignified shopping experience for homeless people.

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Marketing manager of Northmead Square Sharné Bodenstein explained the concept.

“The Street Store idea took flight in Cape Town in 2014,”, she said.

“Cardboard hangers are erected along the road and the public is urged to come and hang up donations of clothing or leave a donation of shoes or other items.

“The homeless can then come along and, free of charge, choose items they actually want and like.

“For the many homeless who are used to rummaging through dustbins to survive, this is a dignified shopping experience.”

Ways you can help and what is needed:

• Donations of clothing, shoes and toiletries are needed, but particularly small-size men’s clothing and shoes.

• Donate rails or crates in which to display the donations for The Street Store event.

• Do a swoop of your wardrobe and donate all unwanted items.

• Volunteer to help sort the donations.

• Tell the organisers about an organisation which deals with the homeless or needy families so that they can work together to get the people in need to the store.

Donations can be dropped off at the City Times office or the centre management office, both at Northmead Square.

For more information, contact Sharné on 011 425 5541 or sharne@mallspacemanagement.co.za

Learn more about The Street Store concept and watch a video about how this simple concept has changed lives at www.thestreetstore.org

Shoppers being assisted at The Street Store. Photo: Masi Losi.

Assistants help with choosing clothes. Photo: Masi Losi.

Barend Fourie and his wife, Bianca, benefited from the event. Photo: Masi Losi.

A man gets ready to pick shoes for his daughter at The Street Store. Photo: Masi Losi.

Ayanda Diko holds plastic bags full of clothes he received from the open street store arranged by Northmead Square as part of the 67 Minutes for Mandela on July 18 last year. Photo: Masi Losi.

Sharné Bodenstein, marketing manager of Northmead Square and the organiser of The Street Store for Benoni’s homeless, is extremely proud of the success of last year’s event, which took place in 14th Avenue, Northmead, on Mandela Day (July 18). Photo: Masi Losi.

Homeless people stand in line waiting to pick some clothing items at the open street store. Photo: Masi Losi.

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