Top thread, Elfs. I tend to drop stuff off rather than take stuff out of charity shops, but I'll always have a little look around for a bargain, particularly books, Subbuteo and LPs. And I tend to favour the smaller charities such as local hospices and animal welfare groups, as I don't like the idea of paying a CEO's six figure salary at the likes of Oxfam. I'm not saying I don't contribute to Oxfam or Marie Curie; I just prefer to text through donations for specific items such as water buckets, eye ops and the like. I love a good charity, me. P.S) Can I just remind you good people to put any scraps of bread, fatty tidbits and clean water out for the birds (and other creatures if you care to). This prolonged cold spell is creating a difficult environment for local wildlife, so please do your best to remember our feathered (and furry) friends. If you happen to be passing a budget shop, drop in and buy a bag of suet pellets and/or mealworms - they are only a £1 - and the fatty content will be more sustaining at this time of year. Cheers.
I always buy my Christmas Cards from the Greenwich & Bexley Hospice Shop in New Eltham.... I buy a pack of 10 and have 9 left over
Which is every second shop. About 30 years ago I bought a suit for £10 at Oxfam, accompanied by an impoverished relative who was a medical student, who also bought a suit for £10. He has since become fabulously wealthy, and although we had them round for dinner we never got asked back. Last year he took a huge salary cut to leave Glaxo and become the government's chief scientific officer, so fair play to him. Since then I've only seen him at funerals, and haven't mentioned Oxfam.
So many people behave like snobs now, deluding themselves that they are better than those around them. Supermarket car parks are full of massive ugly looking school-run SUVs that are way beyond the means of the twats who are driving them. Seems like nearly everybody is putting on a show; fake designer gear, latest mobile (rented, like the 4x4), gadgets, bling and holidays to brag about on social media or at the office. Charity shops don't fit into that fantasy lifestyle. Fortunately there are still many people who have the wisdom (usually fitting their years) not to care about keeping up pretenses like that. Must admit I haven't visited a charity shop myself in quite a while, but this thread has reminded me they are places where you can occasionally find very nice things at almost giveaway prices. And the people running them are usually polite and helpful souls, not aloof or disinterested yoofs in uniform. Next time I am on a high street I'll keep an eye out for such an establishment.
Any stuff that both my beloved and I do not need anymore, NEVER in the bin, I would always drop the gear into a charity shop. Why throw away when somebody else, possibly more needy, can put it to use. Food bank is a bloody good idea as well, my wife has contributed to this in a small way through the church she attends.
According to Sky News, Oxfam workers used local prostitutes during the aftermath of the Haiti earthquake. Some sort of 'relief' mission, I suppose.
