In Russia, the most diverse forms of social entrepreneurship are beginning to gradually develop, including those associated with charitable activities. One of the forms of such social activity of citizens was the organization of charity shops. Such projects make it possible to quickly raise considerable funds for those who really need them.
Charity shops (charity shops, hospice shops) have been popular in Western countries for more than two centuries. As a rule, they are retail trade enterprises, which are managed by a group of enthusiasts and aim at raising funds for socially significant purposes.
Such charitable projects work on the principles of social entrepreneurship, all of their activities are to raise funds for the social needs of the population. Items that shops offer for sale are donated by the public. This allows you to provide preferential conditions for the sale of goods and extremely low prices, attracting many interested parties to charity sales.
As a rule, charity shops themselves fully provide their current needs, such as rent, staff remuneration, equipment. After the closing of expenditure items, all remaining profits go to charity.
The principles of organizing charitable shops benefit all parties involved in the implementation of such projects. The proceeds from the sale of goods go directly to the beneficiaries: homeless people, sick children, people with disabilities. Those who donate their things to stores get rid of unnecessary things and make their contribution to charity.
The effectiveness of this form of charity is due to the fact that the funds here are not donated directly, which for many is a psychological barrier. The buyer, who actually donates money, receives in exchange for them useful and necessary things. The structure of charitable shops is extremely transparent, so everyone can get access to reporting and make sure that they use the proceeds from the sale of goods.
The range of goods in demand in thrift stores is quite wide. These are clothes, shoes, jewelry, accessories, books, furniture and much more. Most often, things are transferred to stores in very good condition and can be used for their intended purpose for a long time.
For Russia, thrift stores are still an innovative form of social support. Such stores are already open in St. Petersburg and Volgograd. In the summer of 2012, the first such project was implemented in Moscow. In this "Bench of Joys" there are no prices set once and for all, buyers can give as much as they like for the goods they like.
The lack of legislative regulation in the described area of social entrepreneurship often forces project organizers not to sell things, but to receive funds in the form of donations. It is hoped that over time, Russian lawmakers will fill in the gaps in the legal support of the activities of such a model useful for society, such as a charity store.
