It might feel odd to go on a shopping spree and leave the store empty-handed – but in this case it’s for a very good reason.
First launched in 2017, Choose Love is the world’s only store that sells products and services for refugees across the world, and it’s coming back to London this Black Friday.
The charity shop concept turned retail phenomenon will also be opening stores in New York, LA and online.
The stores have so far welcomed 45,000 customers and distributed 1.6 million items for those in need with their unique concept.
When you visit the store, you get to interact with the items and discover why they’re needed by refugees.
Split into three sections, each area explores a different stage of a refugee’s journey, from Arrival (emergency blankets, warm clothing and food) to Shelter (tents, sleeping bags and hygiene packs) all the way to Hope (education supplies, LGBTQ support and mental health care).
The proceeds are then distributed by Help Refugees to their partners across Europe, North America and the Middle East.
You can buy individual products and services and ‘bundles’ of items, which are offered to help people with specific needs.
The Bundle of Warmth features hot food, a child’s coat, firewood and a warm blanket.
The Bundle of Love includes a baby grow, child’s boots, nappies, a wash bag, a tent, and a tarp and pallet.
The Bundle of Hope features mental health support, adult learning and women’s support. So you can choose exactly how you want to help.
As well as spending your money to help people in need, the stores are also designed to teach people about the refugee crisis.
In London, Choose Love will take over two floors at 47-49 Neal Street in Seven Dials, with a DJ booth, stage, seating area and space for the Choose Love merchandise.
All images, stories and items in the store come straight from the front-line of the refugee crisis, where the charity works.
The items on sale will include emergency blankets, children’s shoes, warm gloves, mobile phone credit and more. Costs range from £3 to £500 – so even if you have a small budget, you can still do your bit.
Since Choose Love first opened in 2017 its stores and website equivalent have raised £3 million, helping provide refugees with:
- 158,712 hot meals
- 19,000 blankets and 6,000 tents
- 8,000 insulated baby grows and 21,000 warm children’s coats
- 1,306,777 nappies
- 4,500 school bags
- 5,700 sleeping bags
- Enabled a rescue boat to spend 6 months saving lives at sea.
‘Across Europe, the Middle East and on the US border Help Refugees is supporting hundreds of thousands of refugees living in camps, temporary housing and tents,’ says Josie Naughton CEO of Help Refugees.
‘Dropping temperatures are making already hard lives nearly impossible.
‘By shopping in the Choose Love stores in London, New York, LA or online, ordinary people are helping provide support where governments are failing.
‘Every purchase goes towards life-changing support for some of the world’s most vulnerable people. This holiday season we hope millions of people add a refugee to their gift list.’
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source https://metro.co.uk/2019/11/15/worlds-first-shop-selling-real-products-refugees-opens-london-11149001/
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