This past weekend, our CAB Day (Come and Buy Without Money) initiative made its way to Elands Bay, turning donated goods into something much more meaningful: a little more comfort, dignity and hope for families who need it.
The result? 40 families reached, more than 4,000 donated items given a second life, and over R100,000 in estimated donation value redistributed. But behind every number is a family, a home and the everyday needs that many of us might take for granted.
For one parent, CAB is something to look forward to each year. Living without a job often means having to choose between one necessity and another, leaving little room for the things that make everyday life easier. As they shared:
“I look forward to CAB every year because I don’t have a job, and often I have to decide between one thing and another. You’re stuck in survival mode. Then along comes CAB, and I can get things that add convenience to my life. I don’t have to borrow from a neighbour. It’s all mine, and this is what makes my house feel more like a home.”
“I don’t have to borrow from a neighbour. It’s all mine.” Those words capture something profound. Sometimes, dignity is found in the freedom to meet your own needs without having to ask someone else. It’s in having what you need in your own home, knowing that something belongs to you and being able to make your space a little more comfortable for yourself and your family.
That is the heart of CAB. It is about more than giving things away; it is about creating a space where families can choose what they need with dignity, without a price tag, pressure or judgement.
A heartfelt thank you to Southern Sun Hotels, Radisson RED, EWB, Mariette, Vicky, Souti and every donor and volunteer who helped make CAB in Elands Bay possible. Your generosity has reached beyond the items you donated and into the homes and lives of families in our community.
And the blessing of giving doesn’t have to wait for another CAB Day. We collect donations all year round because there is always an opportunity to be a blessing to someone else.
What you no longer need could be the very thing that helps another family feel more at home. Find out how you can get involved TODAY!
