Home
Log in / Sign Up
    Private Messages   Advanced Search   Rules   New User Guide   FAQ   Advertise   Contact Us  
Forum -> Household Management
Advice on running a gemach



Post new topic   Reply to topic View latest: 24h 48h 72h

amother


 

Post Sat, Aug 08 2009, 4:19 pm
I wanted to post anon to the poster who wanted advice on opening a gemach in the Chit Chat section, but that (and the Gemachs) section is closed to anon posts. So here goes:

OK, I have a gemach (not for clothes) and I will give you the following tips (some passed on from other people before we opened it):

1. Make sure some money is involved. I presume you are giving the clothes away - make a token charge (maybe a shekel, or two for coats etc). This gives you three advantages -
a. The gemach will have some money (more on that later).
b. People will be more likely to only take what they really need, rather than Sarah taking that cute dress for a seven year old to put away for her newborn, and then when Rivka comes an hour later and has no clothes for her 7 yr old dd there is nothing left.
c. People feel better when they have paid, and less like nebachs (tell them it's to cover expenses).

2. If you have anything that needs to be returned get people to sign on it, leave a check as a deposit, and make a list of rules.

3. Make times for the gemach and stick to them. In the beginning I was nice and let people come when they asked (read: walk over me) and everyone has the most original times that are convenient for them: just when you are giving your children lunch (they are on the way back from picking their child up from gan), an hour before Shabbos (they are on the way to the mikva), ten minutes after Shabbos (they were in your town at their parents and now they are rushing back), two days before Pesach (they are going away) or at midnight (their husband just got home from learning and they didn't have a babysitter).

3. The more organized you are and the more you set rules and keep them, the more resources you will have for your gemach, the nicer it will be, and the more chessed you will ultimately be able to do.

4. As someone who has gone to clothes gemachim - make sure the clothes are folded and sorted and look nice. Throw away anything torn or stained (unless it's some fabulous dress that can easily be repaired). This is also when the money comes in - if you are getting money you can pay someone to come and do it/ help you.
Back to top

mummiedearest




 
 
    
 

Post Mon, Aug 10 2009, 11:06 pm
thanks, amother. I appreciate the tips.
Back to top
Page 1 of 1 Recent Topics




Post new topic   Reply to topic    Forum -> Household Management

Related Topics Replies Last Post
Gown gemach for friend/cousin/nieces wedding
by amother
3 Yesterday at 11:10 am View last post
Kallah Gown Gemach BP
by amother
1 Tue, Mar 26 2024, 9:35 pm View last post
Mishloach manos for your husband...advice from recent widow
by amother
27 Sun, Mar 24 2024, 3:04 pm View last post
My 4 yo daughter is difficult to parent, any advice please?
by amother
15 Thu, Mar 21 2024, 9:13 pm View last post
Advice for talking to son in mesivta OOT
by amother
11 Tue, Mar 19 2024, 8:29 pm View last post