Johannesburg - The Empty Shop, an award-winning charity campaign, is back at Sandton City until November 15.
The concept was pioneered in São Paulo, Brazil, in 2013 and has since been hosted in Milan, Berlin, Austin, Manchester and Buenos Aires, among other cities.
It is a fun way to give to charity. Take donations of clothing and accessories to the empty store, hand them over to the shop assistants and they will style them on mannequins. Every evening the shop will be emptied and ready to receive new donations the following day.
Celebrities have been quick to lend their support. Sandton City tweeted this year that actor and model Maps Maponyane has pledged to donate 20kg of clothing.
This year The Empty Shop is also accepting second-hand toys and children’s books. The only prerequisite is that clothing should be clean and wearable while children’s toys and books need to be in good condition.
Selected items will go on sale on November 14 and 15. All proceeds, as well as unsold items, will be donated to the Tomorrow Trust, a non-profit organisation that supports orphaned and vulnerable children throughout their educational journey.
“Last year The Empty Shop collected 4 tons of clothing, exceeding the 3.2-ton record set by Brazil, which was truly humbling for all involved,” said Julie Hillary, general manager: Sandton City and Nelson Mandela Square.
“To date, more than R600 000 has been raised from the clothing sold at HospiceWits stores.” HospiceWits was Sandton City’s 2014 charity recipient.
The Empty Shop will be open in Sandton City’s Checkers Court and operate from 9am-8pm, Monday to Saturday, and 9am-6pm on Sunday.
The Star