27 May 2013
7 students. Different backgrounds. One common cause: Sharing.
It is around 4 in the evening. Some of us are setting up tables and chairs, unpacking materials, tying up banners and starting afresh.
We are nervous, anxious but excited.
Our banner reads, ‘We collect unwanted, reusable stuff and give it away to people who need them’.
Some of us take the courageous step of talking to groups of parents, students and customers in the shopping complex.
The curiosity builds up.
Within an hour or so, the curiosity converts into pickups. Children’s books go like hot cakes. Academic textbooks rediscover their shine as happy students choose them. Adults find their joy in unused greeting cards. Stationery items are gifted. Fulfillment is offered.
Stories are created:
- A doctor visits our stall and offers free homoeopathic treatment for various common ailments at her clinic in the shopping complex.
- A school Principal offers a stockpile of donations sourced from her school’s Lost and Found counter, that comprise of, sweaters, shoes, water bottles, umbrellas, a bucket and lots of love.
- An elderly Uncle shares puzzles and sings for our Team. He entertains with his funny capers and skills in palmistry. It seemed that he got back his playful self that wanted to come out since a long time.
- 2 boys from a nearby slum dwelling happen to visit us out of curiosity. They initially feel reluctant to simply pick up stuff for free, but it’s a beautiful sight when they realize it’s a safe space. They come back with another friend and not only collect board games, toys and stationery items for themselves, but also choose a nice kitchen set for their sisters.
The community comes together to share and make a real difference while our Team earns satisfaction and fulfillment in facilitating the magic.
One of our team members, Sejal, expresses her joy over the event:
“It was lovely being a part of something unique. Helping people get what they want and experiencing the smiles of gratitude. It was a sunny day, but it wasn’t the heat but the smiles that made us feel warm. Had a nice experience of meeting and understanding different and new people. Would love to help out again if possible. Thank you for having me even if I am not remotely linked to the stream.”
This is our material impact in three and a half hours:
18 Donors
Beneficiaries:
38 families & 1 children’s orphanage
Students
A school Principal
Security Guards
Maids
Housewives
A bunch of happy kids 🙂
Resources redistributed:
42 Books
28 Academic books
35 pieces of clothing
11 Greeting cards
8 Umbrellas
~25 Water bottles
~5 pairs of shoes
~5 pairs of socks
3 bars of soap
3 CDs
2 Board games
1 Bucket
A few stationery items and
Lots of toys! 🙂
A simple idea. A new reality.
If you’re inspired by this new possibility,
You could join us for our upcoming events at Mumbai and Thane by filling up this quick volunteer form.
OR
You can take the lead in organizing a similar event in your city or locality. We will be more than happy to help you make a difference that makes the difference. Send us a mail at thefreestorethane@gmail.com
For more details, visit our Facebook Page.
With hope for a new future,
The Free Store, Thane Team
asha chaudhry
hey parth…
great initiative! i’ve changed your category as it belongs to SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP!!!
will be getting a web banner done for you – https://www.therodinhoods.com/forum/topics/be-featured-on-a-web-banner-on-trhs
also, pls add the date to your next event on the post itself so rodinhooders based in and around thane can be in touch with you!
all the very best!!
Nitish Mehta
quite an initiative .!! i am dropping you a mail . !
Sanchita Dutta
Superlike!!!
SUNIL SHARMA
Keep your facebook page updated! add events! I have shared with my Mumbai friends. I see there are many supporters at other cities, you guys can expand like any thing!
best wishes!
Anamika Joshi
superb!!
Vikram Parekh
Great work. Good luck.
Kamal Kalra
Amazing is the word !! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Parth J Dave
Hey Asha,
Thank you so much for providing this platform to share about this initiative!
The web banner is an amazing idea! I can send you the logo if you want.
Sure, definitely!
Thank you once again! 🙂
Parth J Dave
Thank you Nitish! Shall get back to you.
Parth J Dave
Thank you!! 🙂
Parth J Dave
Thank you for the suggestions and for sharing this project, Sunil!
Parth J Dave
Thank you!!
Parth J Dave
Thank you for the kind wishes.
Parth J Dave
Thanks for your encouraging response! 🙂
Aparna
great!! new face to donations 🙂
Omkar Nisal
Awesome!!!!!! ek number initiative!
Alok Rodinhood Kejriwal
Just Amazing. Asha – should Omkar also be connected to the Angel Express lady?
asha chaudhry
shall connect parth and anubha asap…. great idea!!
asha chaudhry
in the meanwhile… parth pls check this post out – https://www.therodinhoods.com/forum/topics/angel-xpress-paying-it-forward
John Nagarkar
Well being visiting therodinhoods.wpengine.com as and when time permitted but somehow missed out on this section until today… and frankly you guys at The Free Store are simply doing an amazing job. Would love to be a part of it someday for sure… and thanks to everyone at therodinhoods.wpengine.com for promoting such an initiative on their site!
Parth J Dave
🙂
Parth J Dave
Thank you for the kind remarks, John!
Parth J Dave
Hi Asha,
That’s a great project!
Please connect me with these guys. We could collaborate!
Jack John
A Real problem solver and a wonderful Social Initiative #Sociopreneur
abhinav madan
amazing initiative parth. I am looking forward to do a similar initiative. Can you tell me how did you do the rationing of the stuff that you were giving away so that max number of people were benefited. Does anybody else have any idea. Would- “you can pick only one” rule apply here?
asha chaudhry
hey parth,
long time no word at all….
how’s the free store doing? any updates? would love to hear from you….
Mubaid Syed
Great initiative Parth.. 🙂