Manila (AsiaNews / Agencies) - There are three months to Christmas, but Caritas Manila has already started the campaign for Christmas gifts. Its purpose is to urge people not to waste money in shopping malls, but visit three "Segunda Mana" (Second Hand) stores instead, which sell inexpensive, but quality, items with the proceeds going to benefit the poor.

Fr. Anton Pascual, director of Caritas Manila, said: "This Christmas, we decided to encourage the public to visit our second hand shops instead of going to the mall to buy gifts. "In this way – he continues - people spend less and will also have the opportunity to provide concrete help to the poor ahead of Christmas”.

Caritas Manila opened Segunda Mana three stores earlier this year. Located in three main districts of the capital, they are part of the fundraising project for poverty reduction through in-kind donations made by families and entrepreneurs.

The shops sell old and new items donated by companies and wealthy individuals. Among items on offer are also toys, appliances and office equipment, books and household items costing up to 50 percent lower compared to malls. "In our stores - says Fr Pascual - people can also find products like canned sardines and other food items that are purchased from manufacturers and are much cheaper than the shops. "

Profits generated from the shops Segunda Mana fund: scholarships for the poor, the purchase of food for malnourished children of the slums of Manila and for ministry in prisons. The initiative serves to continue the work of Caritas to support families affected by typhoons in 2009 Ketsana and Parma.