The Brakpan SPCA is appealing to the public for support as its charity shop, The Bargain Barkers Thrift Store, continues to offer affordable second-hand goods. Located next to Game (shop 93) in the Mall@Carrnival, the store has been operating from its new premises for almost a year.

It was previously a pop-up venture located opposite the Telkom store. While the shop receives a steady stream of donations, sales have unfortunately not kept pace. The shop offers a wide variety of items, including clothing, books, CDs, kitchenware and other goodies.

There are children’s clothes and baby goods available, with some items, such as babygrows, priced from as little as R20. For avid thrifters, the store offers the potential for unique finds.

“Our prices haven’t gone up. We are running the same prices since we first opened. The animals need your support. It’s all for the animals and it’s meant to uplift. It can help massively financially,” said SPCA committee member Tamaryn Lombard.

ALSO CHECK: Gangsterism turning schools into battlegrounds, warns Brakpan SAPS

She told the Brakpan Herald that any clothes they do not sell are donated to another charity. All items of clothing are cleaned before being placed on sale, with committee members assisting by washing items at home.

The society has, however, kindly requested the public not to donate socks or underwear. To encourage shoppers, the store is currently running a promotion where customers can fill a Woolworths bag with clothes or books for R100.

“The money we make here is helping to keep the SPCA’s doors open. We know times are tough and people can’t afford to donate money, but many people have goods they no longer need or use. We are just asking for support,” said Tamaryn.

The society also has to cover some operational costs, including utilities at the shop. In addition, the SPCA is calling for volunteers to assist with sorting and organising the large number of donated books.

ALSO CHECK: Jeep Club SA and Offroad Legends event fuels support for animal rescue efforts

Community members, particularly book lovers, are encouraged to contribute their time. There is a large variety of fiction and non-fiction English and Afrikaans books. There are different genres, encyclopedias, university and school books, self-help books, dictionaries and plenty more.

Tamaryn expressed gratitude to Danie van der Westhuizen from SecurElect for the camera system in the store and for his ongoing support.

“He has helped us a lot with regards to issues. We also appreciate our regulars at the shop,” she said.

The society has also appealed for assistance with signage in the mall to help shoppers locate the store more easily. Donations can be dropped off directly at the shop, but are also welcome to be handed in at the SPCA premises.

The store is open during mall trading hours, which are Monday to Thursday from 09:00 to 19:00, Friday from 09:00 to 20:00, Saturday from 09:00 to 18:00, and Sunday and public holidays from 09:00 to 17:00.