What you need for a charity market

A charity market needs more than donated clothes and books. You need a clear setup for stalls, tables and racks, plus a cash desk, payment terminal, signs and a reliable way to serve drinks. Check power access before buying or borrowing coffee machines, kettles, lamps and speakers. Use this list to prepare the physical setup, refreshments and sales equipment before the market opens, so volunteers are not searching for missing items during the event.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Market stallsqty 12
Party tentsqty 3
Tablesqty 14
Chairsqty 70
Clothes racksqty 6
Bookshelvesqty 4
Foldable tablesqty 4
Patio chairsqty 12
Stoolsqty 8
Cash desk table
Storage cratesqty 20
Clothes hangersqty 100
Plastic containersqty 20
Roll containersqty 6

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 180
Coffee cupsqty 80
Platesqty 120
Cutlery setsqty 100
Serving spoonsqty 8
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 6

Equipment

Coffee machinesqty 3
Kettlesqty 2
Coolersqty 5
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Rechargeable lampsqty 8
Money counting machine
Payment terminalqty 2
Handheld microphone
Speakerqty 2
Cash drawersqty 3
Calculatorsqty 3
Battery chargersqty 4
Walkie-talkiesqty 6
Power banksqty 4
Label printersqty 2
Printer
Laptop
Payment terminalsqty 2

Decorations

Buntingqty 10
Balloonsqty 100
Tableclothsqty 14
Flower arrangementsqty 8
Decorative basketsqty 10
Photo framesqty 12
Chalkboardsqty 12
Directional signsqty 8
Info boardsqty 6
Price holdersqty 40
Coloring pagesqty 100
Markersqty 24
Tapeqty 8
Scissorsqty 6
Rope rollsqty 4
Poster puttyqty 6
Donation boxesqty 8
Donation badgesqty 20
Name badgesqty 40
Wristbandsqty 200

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 3
Frying pansqty 2
Serving trays with lidsqty 8
Aluminum foilqty 2
Food storage containersqty 12
Bottle openersqty 4
Thermos bottlesqty 4
Serving traysqty 8
Bread knivesqty 3
Potholdersqty 8
Kitchen apronsqty 8
Allergen labelsqty 100

Cleaning

Broom setsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 4
Spongesqty 12
Hand soap dispensersqty 4
Towel roll holdersqty 4
Waste binsqty 10
Dustpan and brushqty 4
Microfiber clothsqty 20
Cleaning glovesqty 8
Drying racksqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 5 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Semi-skimmed milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Whipped cream - 6 cans
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Spa Blue - 48 bottles
- Spa Rood - 24 small bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Ice cubes - 10 bags
- Croissants - 60 pieces
- Mini buns - 80 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- White buns - 80 pieces
- Herb butter - 6 tubs
- Young cheese - 3 kilos
- Brie - 1.5 kilos
- Ham - 2 kilos
- Chicken breast topping - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 10 tubs
- Peanut butter - 4 jars
- Strawberry jam - 4 jars
- Cucumber - 10 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Bell peppers - 2 kilos
- Carrots - 2 kilo
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Apples - 5 kilo
- Bananas - 4 kilos
- Mandarins - 4 kilo
- Currant buns - 40 pieces
- Muffins - 60 pieces
- Apple pie - 6 pieces
- Brownies - 8 boxes
- Gluten-free cookies - 6 packs
- Vegan cookies - 6 packs
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Snacks - 6 bags
- Nut mix - 3 kilo
- Olives - 6 jars
- Salsa - 6 jars
- Tortilla chips - 8 bags
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Garlic powder - 1 jar
- Dried oregano - 1 jar
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Eggs - 30 pieces
- Flour - 2 kilos
- Baking powder - 2 sachets
- Honey - 2 jars
- Napkins - 600 pieces
- Paper Coffee Filters - 200 pieces
- Stirrers - 500 pieces
- Wooden skewers - 500 pieces
- Baking paper - 4 rolls
- Cling film - 3 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 3 rolls
- Disposable gloves - 4 boxes
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Large garbage bags - 50 pieces
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Disinfectant spray - 2 bottles
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Hand soap - 6 refills
- Paper towels - 12 packs

Tips

Plan one table or stall for each selling area, then add a separate cash desk table. Keep clothes racks and bookshelves near the relevant tables rather than mixing all donations together.
Arrange payment equipment at least 1 week before the market. Test the payment terminal, money counting machine, extension cords and power strips together, and keep a cash desk backup ready.
For a 3-hour market, allow 2 reusable cups or coffee cups per expected visitor if cups cannot be washed during the event. Bring extra serving spoons, tongs and platters for shared food.
Check electricity and lighting 2 to 3 days before setup. Count every extension cord and power strip, and place rechargeable lamps where stalls or the cash desk may be dim.
Prepare price tags and information signs 1 to 2 days beforehand. Pack them with pens, tape and the printed floor plan so volunteers can label stalls without delaying the opening.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need to buy for a charity market?: You typically need stall furniture, tables, chairs, clothes racks or bookshelves, price tags, information signs and payment equipment. For refreshments, allow 2 cups per visitor for a 3-hour market and provide coffee cups, plates, cutlery and serving utensils.
How many tables do I need for a charity market?: Start with 1 table or stall for each selling area, plus 1 separate cash desk table. Add at least 1 extra foldable table for sorting, packing or refreshments if space allows.
How much drinking equipment is needed for a charity market?: For a 3-hour market, prepare 2 cups per expected visitor if there is no washing point. Add coffee cups, plates and cutlery based on the number of people you expect to eat or drink, with a small reserve for volunteers.
When should I prepare the charity market shopping list?: Check the list at least 2 weeks before the market, especially for stalls, tents, tables and payment equipment. Test electrical and payment equipment 2 to 3 days before setup, and pack signs and price tags 1 to 2 days ahead.

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