2023-05-06 05:57:36
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The journey is easy, parking is uncomplicated and access is now completely barrier-free: On top of that, you can almost always find a bargain or a piece of jewelry at a good and, above all, affordable price.
That is the aim of the social department store on Rudolf-Diesel-Strasse in Datteln, which is served by customers from all over East West. Regardless of income, everyone should be able to afford everyday necessities.
“Anyone can buy from us,” explains Michael Inhestern, manager of the environmental workshop. This decision was made consciously. “We don’t want the customers who buy from us to have to come out. Because nobody should be given the stamp that he or she only has limited financial resources at their disposal,” says Inhestern.
In general, however, it is not only people with a lower income who shop in social department stores, many are also driven into the store by sustainability awareness. “In recent years we have increasingly noticed that younger people are coming because they care about the environment,” says Anja Metz, head of professional integration. She heads the offices for the Datteln, Herten and Recklinghausen locations.
“We live in a throwaway society and more and more people, especially younger people, are realizing that,” says Metz. Many are also convinced of the quality of the old furniture or are simply looking for individual pieces of jewelery for their home. “Clothes are bought the most though,” adds Michael Inhestern.
Donations have tripled
Not only the customer base has grown in recent years, but also the amount of donations. “The new location has certainly played a large part in this,” says Inhestern. The approach and also the parking at the Südring may have deterred many. “Now we are also completely barrier-free, so that access is also possible with a walker or wheelchair without any problems,” explains Metz.
Since the move, donations have tripled. The head of the environmental workshop in Ostvest cannot report any poor-quality goods that are donated. “I remember there being a used baby diaper in between, but stories like that are isolated for us,” says Inhestern.
“It’s a give and take”
“I just want to do something good,” says Rolf Kokesch. He just dropped off a bag of dishes. “The dishes are in good condition and we no longer need them. Someone else might need it.” He himself has often bought something from the Diakonie. “Sometimes a book, sometimes a chess game and once I found a vase,” says Dattelner. It’s a give and take for him.
Heike Witte from Waltrop also agrees. “I regularly bring donations to the environmental workshop. A lot of clothes no longer fit or are simply no longer worn.” Often there are clothes from her grandson who have outgrown her size. “It’s a shame to just throw that away.”
To ensure that logistics and sales function smoothly, 57 employees now work at the Datteln location. “For this we cooperate with the job center in the district of Recklinghausen,” explains Anja Metz. “Most of the employees are affected by long-term unemployment and are thus reintegrated into the labor market.” But there are also volunteers who regularly help out in the company.
How to donate:
The environmental workshop collects used clothing and textiles, household goods (glasses, crockery, cutlery, pans, pots), electronic devices,
Books, pictures, carpets, children’s toys, bicycles and furniture.
The collection takes place at regular intervals. The residents in Datteln, Oer-Erkenschwick, Waltrop and Olfen are informed by flyers two to three days before each collection.
Donations in kind can also be handed in during the opening hours of the Diakonie department store. For furniture, an appointment should be made in advance by telephone. Diakonie employees also collect donations in kind from them. The environmental workshop is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Address: Rudolf-Diesel-Str. 12, 45711 Datteln, Tel. 02363/910010.
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