Big boost for elderly, disabled thanks to storage company

Self-storage company U Can Store announced the launch of its social responsibility initiative at the official opening of the company’s Benoni branch in Dunswart on October 22.

The company committed to supporting the Lady of Fatima Old Age Home in Brentwood Park with a weekly donation of food supplies and announced a partnership with Edenvale’s Little Eden Society, which cares for people with intellectual disabilities.

Speaking at the event, one of the owners, Nick Teixeira, stressed the importance of looking after the elderly because of the role they’ve played in our lives.

“The reason we are all here today is because of the people that reside in that home or one similar to it.

“We must all be mindful that one day we too will become old. We should, therefore, be grateful for what the elderly have done for us and give back to them,” he said.

Guida Vieira, the administrator of Lady of Fatima, said this partnership will benefit them significantly as they now have an extra hand helping them.

Teixeira announced that U Can Store will provide a dedicated storage unit at each of their five branches to Little Eden at no cost to serve as a collection point for donations by the public.

“We have provided various bins for separate-at-source goods, such as clothing, appliances, books, electronics, non-perishable foods and toiletries.

“Receipt and storage of these items will be managed by each branch and collection from the branches will be managed by Little Eden.”

According to Teixeira, this initiative will benefit Little Eden as their branches will significantly increase the number of goods donated due to their ability to attract donors from outside the organisation’s catchment area and also to receive goods outside of normal business hours.

Little Eden’s business development manager, Nichollette Zulu, commented that this partnership will benefit them greatly.

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She said all the donated goods are sold at their charity shop and the proceeds go into the running of the organisation.

With an annual budget of R45m needed by the organisation to keep its doors open, Zulu said Covid-19 affected their finances severely, explaining they had to close their charity shop for a period and cancel most of their fundraising events. This is in addition to the facility having to close for visits of the public.

“We are still feeling the effects. Our donors are going through financial challenges, as well and donating to a charity becomes the last option.

“We look after 300 children and adults. It costs us R13 000 per month to care for one resident. We have 63 staff members working for us. We need a lot of money to keep our doors open,” she said.

To donate to Little Eden, drop off at U Can Store Benoni, corner Atlas Road and Commissioner Street.

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