Styling out Durban’s homeless at pop up street store

IT’S time again for the annual Pop Up Street Store at the Denis Hurley Centre on Friday, 16 June. The store will be open from 8:30am to midday at 2 Cathedral Road, Durban.

In the lead up to the event, non-profit organisation Grace Aid is asking the public to donate clothing, shoes, and accessories for all ages, as well as non-battery operated toys for children. Collections can be dropped off at Grace Family Church’s uMhlanga, Riverside and Ballito campuses as well as drop-off boxes at JAM Clothing stores in Hillcrest, Amanzimtoti, The Crescent and Smith Street.

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This year, the NPO has set donors a large challenge. “At our uMhlanga campus there is shipping container sponsored by Container World that we are looking to fill to the brim with donations,” said Dimitra Nicolau, Grace Aid co-ordinator.

“We’re also inviting anyone to give us a helping hand on Monday, 14 May from 4pm to sort all of the donations at Grace Family Church, uMhlanga,” added Nicolau.

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The Street Store concept is global movement where the homeless can shop for free. This event is for adults and children living on Durban’s streets, to have a ‘normal’ shopping experience, where they can pick and choose the items they want with the help of a volunteer personal shopping assistant.

“The focus of the Street store is to give dignity as people choose their clothing, enjoy a meal, have their hair cut and are blessed by volunteers whose sole aim is to let each person know they are significant and welcome,” said Dave Richter from Grace Aid.

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For more information visit either the 612th Street Store Facebook page, www.graceaid.info/street-store or www.thestreetstore.org.