A CHARITY shop is opening up next week which will aid the CMR (Christelik-Maatskaplike Raad/Christian Social Services) with much-needed funds to run the organisation.
Like most welfare organisations, CMR was also hit by the drastic subsidy cuts announced by the Department of Social Development. They lost three subsidised social work posts and two social auxiliary posts.
The welfare organisation, which was established in 1955, runs a safe house for abused women, an extensive home food security programme and offers child protection, foster care and adoption services.
CMR manager Gaye Moonieya is also the brains behind the opening of the charity shop, Out of the Box, which will sell second- hand books, clothing and toys. She said charity shops were a big thing in the UK and South Africans were picking that up.
“I have always loved charity shops, especially the second-hand book section. I believe our opening one has a two-fold purpose for us.
“In addition to bringing in another stream of income, it also helps people who don’t have a lot of money to buy things at a bargain price,” Moonieya said.
The shop, at 5 Aintree building in Old Transkei Road, is next to Nahoon Fisheries and opposite Wakaberry. If people want to donate goods they can turn into Smart Road and immediately turn left into the fenced parking lot and enter through the back entrance or drop off donations there.
Moonieya said a cousin in the UK gave her the idea of the charity shop because he usually sent her boxes of donations.
“They send amazing stuff over and I have been distributing it personally for a few years now and this just seemed the right time for a shop.
“The name of the shop also comes from the regular arrival of the donations: out of the box,” she said.
Moonieya said they were still looking for more volunteers and had been encouraged by those who had offered to help as a result of their appeal on Facebook, but they needed at least 22 people to run effectively.
“We also wish to thank Hidden Treasures for their help and advice so that we have not had to reinvent the wheel and can avoid some pitfalls and mistakes.
“But please don’t drop off anything until we are open. We will announce the exact day on Facebook,” Moonieya said.
CMR has a new website where you can find out more about the organisation: https://cmrel.co.za and a Facebook page CMR East London, where more news about the shop and their other activities will be posted
