Whether you want to donate, volunteer or shop for treasures, this article will tell you where to find some of those elusive charity shops in Cape Town's Southern Suburbs

Because they are situated in low rental neighbourhoods, charity shops are sometimes hard to find. But follow this easy guide to Cape Town charity shops, and you’ll be surprised at the bargains you can pick up, while also helping the less fortunate.

The Friendly Shop, Valkenberg

On Liesbeeck Parkway take the Observatory Road turn off. This leads into Valkenberg Psychiatric Hospital. Ask the Security guards to direct you to The Friendly Shop, run by Friends of Valkenberg. Prices are incredibly low here, and you often find designer clothes and costume jewelry at ridiculous prices.

It's open from 10 -2.30 Monday to Friday. Phone 021 4403126

Leaving Valkenberg go up Station Road to Main Road. Turn left, towards Mowbray. You are about to enter a treasure trove of charity shops.

Helping the Physically Disabled: St Giles Shop

Cross the bridge over Settler’s Way and 50 meters down, on the right you’ll find the St Giles Shop, a wonderful old-fashioned charity shop. It's the best place to find kitchenalia, and quality bric a brac, also craft supplies, and furniture. 1 Shell Court, Mowbray. ph 021 6891603. Open 9-3 Mon-Fri and Saturday mornings

AIDS Charities: The Pink Shop

This is next door to St Giles. It raises funds for AIDS sufferers and their families. You often find wonderful quality men’s clothing here, in great condition. 75 Main Road, 021 6895696. Open 9-5, and Saturday mornings.

Lifeline Charity Shop

Cross over the road and keep walking towards Rondebosch. You’ll reach the Lifeline Charity shop. This shop is jammed with clothing, shoes and bric a brac. It receives substantial donations from Cape Union Mart, and is a good place to pick up slightly shop soiled camping gear. 100 Main Road, 021 6851050. It's open from 9 -4.30, and Saturday mornings.

Fundraising for the Less Privileged: Salvation Army Gift and Thrift Shop

A few doors down you reach the Salvation Army shop. Like St Giles this is one of the older charity organisations in Cape Town, and receives large donations from deceased estates. But it’s not all ‘old lady’ items. They receive lots of electrical goods and occasionally have fabulous furniture. 94 Main Road, Mowbray, 021 6868328. They're open from 9-4, and on Saturday mornings.

Children’s Charities: Help the Rural Child

Carry on walking for a block and a half. On the corner of Victoria and Main Road you’ll find the Help the Rural Child charity shop, run by the Catholic Welfare Bureau. Like most Catholic charity shops this one is spick and span.It sells good clothes and lots of children’s toys.

Catholic Welfare Bureau Bookshop

The bookshop is above the charity shop. Enter by a door ten yards down Victoria Road. Climb the stairs and you'll find Cape Town booklovers' best kept secret. This bookshop is a real gem. The books are dusted and well sorted. The collection is substantial, covering two floors, and the prices, though not dirt cheap, are about a third of what you’d pay in a bookstore. There’s free tea and coffee on offer, and the fiction section has a fabulous view over Devil’s Peak. Both shops are open Monday to Friday 9-5 and Saturday mornings. Corner of Main and Victoria Road, phone 021 6898392

Volunteering to Help

Want to do more than shop? These charities are always looking for volunteers and for donations of used goods. They'll even pick up your donations from your house.