Charity Shops
Photo Credit: Markus Winkler via Pexels

We are committed to doing more good within the community this year, and one of the ways that can be done is by shopping at local charity shops.

 

South Africa (10 January 2024) – If you have been looking for ways to spend your money that give back to good causes, help reduce landfill waste and sidestep the fast fashion industry, charity shops are a perfect option for you!

Many charities fund themselves by having a charity shop on the premises which sells second-hand items and sometimes even new items. These little shops are treasure troves filled with hidden gems and secret finds at prices that would make your purse stay flush!

Charity shops are a great asset to society because they offer a resource to find affordable alternatives while giving back. They are a great option for people who have stepped away from fast fashion retailers and need a good source of clothing to shop for. Bookworms who cannot afford the newest books can purchase bags full from a charity shop.

These options are even more in demand today with the economy being as it is. So we decided to make a list of all the charity shops we could find. Like all of our charity lists before, if we missed any, please do reach out to be added to the list. Please email tyler@goodthingsguy.com, and we will add it soonest; kindly supply the relevant links and which province they work in.

Most Cheshire Homes, Hospices, SPCAs and Salvation Army franchises will have a charity shop on the premises so if you know of one close to home, call to double-check.

South African Charity Shops

Eastern Cape

Free State

Gauteng

Kwazulu-Natal

Limpopo

Mpumalanga

North West

Northern Cape

Western Cape

If you want to donate to any of these shops, be sure to adhere to the below tips.

Benefits of Charity Shops:

  • You have a place to send your unwanted (useable, clean) goods. Spring cleaning now has a meaningful purpose.
  • Charity shops often have very affordable hidden gems whether it be older books, vintage clothing or useful household tools. Expensive ‘vintage’ shops thrift these places and add markups to the items.
  • Contributions to the shop go back to the cause it supports so buy something or donate something to make a difference.
  • You get to see first hand, the charity you support as shops are usually on the same premises.
  • Your items find new homes instead of going to the dump. Yay for the environment.
  • Volunteers run the shops, and supporting them gives people who sometimes can’t work a purpose.
  • They are also a great place to go recycle, most charity locations will have paper and glass bins to help them raise extra funds.
  • Ask the people who work there if you are looking for something in particular, they may have something in the storeroom or are able to keep an eye out for you.

Things to remember about shopping or donating:

  • Always donate things in working order, like puzzles with all the pieces or appliances that work properly. It is unfair to discard your useless stuff at a charity that is desperate for funds – it costs them to have your junk removed!
  • Books, good clothing and bric-a-brac are always a safe bet to donate, call ahead for other things to check if there is space.
  • Double-check the sizing of clothing before you buy them and don’t be afraid to try them on.
  • On that note, wash all clothing you buy from a charity shop. Before making your donations, wash the items you send in. Not all of them have the facilities or budget to wash items beforehand.
  • Anything can be DIY’d so go with an open mind and go often so you don’t miss a thing.
  • Forget the idea of glamour, get down and dirty finding the hidden treasures.
  • Put things back where you found them.
  • Take your own shopping bags.

Note: Some shops are not open full-time, you will need to confirm opening hours personally to avoid unnecessary trips.


Sources: Various (Linked Above) 
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About the Author

Tyler Leigh Vivier is a writer for Good Things Guy.

Her passion is to spread good news across South Africa with a big focus on environmental issues, animal welfare and social upliftment. Outside of Good Things Guy, she is an avid reader and lover of tea.

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