Unwanted items more hindrance than help for homeless
Director of the Denis Hurley Centre, Raymond Perrier explains that many well meaning donors arrive at the center's doorstep with items that are useless to the homeless and is more a hindrance than help.
DONATING pre-owned items to the poor is not as simple as the old adage, ‘one man’s trash is another man’s treasure,’ suggests. Do- gooders are encouraged to put thought into the goodwill of giving to make sure they are making a worthwhile impact. Director of the Denis Hurley Centre, Raymond Perrier explains that many well meaning donors arrive at the center’s doorstep with items that are useless to the homeless and is more a hindrance than help.
“We have received dirty clothes and damp clothes here at the center, and we don’t have the resources to wash, sort and store clothes. We mostly cater to homeless men, who tend to be thin and most of the clothes we receive are ladies clothes that we cannot put to use,” said Perrier.
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While non-perishable food items and cleaning detergents are always useful donations to the centre, Perrier encouraged that donors take the time to ask what is needed first.
“The best and easiest way to donate to the Centre is to contribute financially. We can source the food items we need at the cheapest price and make sure it’s delivered on time and we can be trusted to use financial contributions wisely,” he added.
Clothing donations are better suited to organised drives where volunteers can sort and distribute the items effectively. One such initiative is the Winter Hope project, a national initiative that runs across the whole month of June to address clothing shortages as the season turns chilly.
“Ensure clothes are washed and in decent condition. Please think about what you are donating. Don’t just give anything and think you are doing someone a favour. We once received a box of single shoes, there were no complete pairs. This sort of thing becomes insulting,” said Perrier.
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Drop off points in Durban North include: St Martins in the field on 12 Chelsea Drive, Grace Family Church on 63 Anthony Road and Our Lady of Fatima on 159 Kenneth Kaunda Road. In uMhlanga, donations can be dropped off at Grace Family Church on 400 Umhlanga Rocks Drive, Grace Family Church on 26 Flanders Drive and Christ Family church on 57 Hambridge Avenue.
For more information, contact Raymond Perrier on 031 301 2240 or 0765 702 497 during office hours.
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