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The Singapore Red Cross operates two thrift stores, one at 62 JalanKhairuddin and the other at 15 Penang Lane. Both of these offer new and pre-loved merchandise and at almost unbelievably discounted prices.
I spent weeks volunteering at the Penang Lane Shop and was asked to work on Mondays or Wednesdays or both. During the course of my days I saw newly received merchandise sorted, priced and stocked on Mondays. On Wednesdays from 10am to 4pm the store is open to the public and volunteers such as myself, helped customers locate items, try on clothes or shoes and bag or carry purchased merchandise.
Think volunteering needs a lot of time? As a volunteer at The Singapore Red Cross one is not required to stay for the entire day but simply to help out as long as one can. There’s also a $5.00 stipend to pay for lunch.
Most of the merchandise itself is new and donated by shops and stores in Singapore. When I was working there in January, a shipment of branded women's tops from Macy's arrived. All were priced at $1. Dozens of pairs of new women's shoes also came in and were priced at $1 per pair. Now that is a bargain!
In addition to clothing and shoes, the store also carries small kitchen appliances and dishware, costume jewellery and sunglasses and many toys and stuffed animals for the children.
The permanent staff members are friendly and very helpful so there is no need to be nervous or to feel awkward about coming in to help.
Author
Brian Worrell