A Gemach?

Posted: Wed, Feb 06 2008, 10:56 pm Post subject: A Gemach?

So I was talking to a friend the other day about wanting more money and having a store in my house. She mentioned that I should open another gemach for simcha outfits for babies and kids and women.
I hadn't known that there was a profit involved in this....Anyone know how ppl start these types of things?

Posted: Wed, Feb 06 2008, 11:29 pm Post subject: re: A Gemach?

I run several gmachim. Everything is donated so there are few expenses, and some people leave $ in the pushke, but that goes into hanging racks, shelving tags, etc. I never thought to profit on this chesed. To tell you the truth, the $ that comes in versus the amount of time required to collect, sort, organize, display and have open hours makes my hourly wage about negative $20.

Posted: Thu, Feb 07 2008, 8:50 am Post subject:

I really don't mind putting so much time into it. I just want atleast 10 at the end of the day extra.

Posted: Thu, Feb 07 2008, 10:25 am Post subject: re: A Gemach?

Because I do not charge or take money, I have no shortage of willing donors. Another gmach in my area does charge minimally, but that money goes back into the gmach. I don't know how willing people would be to donate to a profiting gmach (when they could sell to consignment or resale). Whatever you decide, hatzlocha. Feel free to ask me about running this kind of show.

Posted: Thu, Feb 07 2008, 6:00 pm Post subject:

OK, how do you start?

Posted: Thu, Feb 07 2008, 7:53 pm Post subject: re: A Gemach?

decide what you want to give. take into consideration what is needed, what there is a surplus of, and what you think people would be happy to get rid of
I do children's and baby clothes, accessories and equipment. People thank me for having a place to unload their accumulations knowing it's going to help others. I let people know in more comfortable communities know, because they generally have top of the line, for only two children.

Then choose a place to house it. I started in my garage, but am now in a beautiful big showroom. Consider storage, display: shelving, racks, hangers, whatever will showcase what you have.

Acquire, sort (we are very picky, it means people will come back for more) and get a system for what discards. Because I filter down the donations, nothing gets thrown out. This make people more inclined to give me large, unsorted quantities. The more you get, the more you will eventually have.

Ask a local shul/kollel to be your umbrella. All they need do is supply a tax letter for donors (you copy it) and you give them good PR.

This is a good start. If you want to take a trip to Chicago, I will show you one of the finest chesed organizations around- we call it the G'mall, 5 gmachim in one place, affiliate gmachim nearby.

Posted: Fri, Feb 08 2008, 1:29 am Post subject:

I go out and buy dresses and outfits with my own money and I get reimbursed as ppl rent them?

And you men if I want to take a trip to ny? im already in chicago

Platinum Member Joined: Jun 09 2005 Posts: 11840

Both of you live in Chicago.
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Posted: Fri, Feb 08 2008, 9:56 am Post subject: re: A Gemach?

you're good, crayon

rivka, pm me, you can call me if you like

buying dresses is going to be very expensive- first if pwople rent them are they going to pay for cleaning? what if they get ruined? you will need a lot to satisfy everybody's tastes, some will never get used and then they go out of style within a couple of years. there are gmachim for women's and children's already- some competition as some don't charge at all and don't expect them back either