What started as an act of kindness to give those less fortunate a dignified shopping experience has turned into a global initiative and tomorrow (12 June) the Street Store celebrates 10 years.
The enterprise is the world’s first rent-free, premises-free, free pop-up clothing store for people living on the street. It was founded in 2014 as a collaboration between a Cape Town ad agency, M&C Saatchi Abel, and the Haven Night Shelter in Green Point.
Mike Abel, the co-founder of the drive, said the aim is to give people who cannot afford to buy clothes a decent shopping experience. “We were concerned about the plight of less fortunate people. We were working with the shelter and came up with this idea of giving people who cannot afford to go to a shop a dignified shopping experience.”
Abel explained that the enterprise consists of downloadable posters in the form of a hanger, donors hang up their pre-loved items on these hangers, and those living on the street pick and choose what they want at no cost. He added that for many, this becomes their first shopping experience.
Thousands clothed
He explained that the store targeted anyone who could not afford to buy clothes. Abel said 10 years ago, they only had an idea and did not know if it would work.
“A week before the first pop-up store an appeal was made on social media. Within days national media platforms shared the story. Soon international media picked up on the story too. This led to over 3 500 homeless people being clothed.”
Fast forward to today, there are over 1 000 Street Stores in hundreds of locations which have put smiles on more than a million less fortunate people’s faces across the world.
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Abel said to commemorate the 10 years, the Street Store will be open at the Haven Night Shelter in Green Point from 10:00 to 12:00 on Tuesday.
He explained that the Street Store relies solely on the generosity of people.
“We have clothes for adults male and female and even for babies.”
Contact point
Shadrick Valayadum, Chief executive officer at Haven Night Shelter Western Cape, said the initiative has been beneficial because it provides an opportunity to inform people living on the street about their services.
“We are grateful for these 10 years of supporting the homeless in the area. People get to choose clothing items and then we provide them with something to eat. It is also an opportunity for our social work services to speak to homeless clients and tell them about the services that we render to get them off the streets.
He explained that they also informed them there were other shelters around the province.
“We believe that if we can make a difference to one person then it’s significant. For us getting one person off the street is a win.”
Abel thanked people for their generosity over the past decade.
“They can’t understand the impact they have made in the lives of these beneficiaries. They are unlocking hope and dignity for people. We are thankful to all of them.”
