Driven by purpose: how Stor-Age makes meaningful social impact

In an increasingly polarised world, there is a growing demand for connection — for integration, more meaningful engagement. This statement is true for every layer of society and every industry. Both consumers and investors are demanding greater alignment between corporate strategies and social impact, driving long-term partnerships between companies and communities.  

The self storage industry is no exception.  

In this blog, we unpack how Stor-Age is contributing to meaningful social change, supporting SMMEs and forging sustainable partnerships with local communities. 

Our commitment to social sustainability 

At Stor-Age, we aim not just to make a difference in the communities we operate in, but also to ensure that this difference is sustainable. We take a holistic approach when it comes to social impact, striving to improve the lives of our customers, employees and broader communities.  

Our medium-term objective  

Ultimately, our goal at Stor-Age is to continue to be active members of our local communities in as many ways as possible. We believe in quality over quantity, meaning we focus on fewer projects, but go into considerable detail with each.  

As a self storage provider, our support typically comes in the form of complimentary storage space with additional support if needed. These services can be anything, from leveraging our digital marketing platforms and generating exposure via branding, to financial contributions.  

Supporting communities: the power of giving   

Stor-Age has made significant strides in our community development initiatives. Through strategic partnerships, education initiatives and support for local businesses, Stor-Age's contributions have largely been met with success.  

We are a proud supporter of various charities and non-profit organisations (NPOS) across South Africa. By providing resources that enable these groups to continue doing the essential work that they do, Stor-Age ensures that our community contributions go beyond financial support.  

Monthly contributions  

Each month, Stor-Age donates a variety of complimentary storage units to charities and NPOs across South Africa. This storage space can be a lifeline for some organisations that need secure facilities to manage their operations effectively.  

Some of the beneficiaries include:  

Santa Shoebox Project 

Distributing gifts to underprivileged children during the festive season, the Santa Shoebox Project is an organisation that truly creates magic at Christmas time.  

“We operate in every province, reaching thousands of educational and care facilities nationwide,” says Deb Zelezniak, CEO of Santa Shoebox Project.  

“Without the valuable space sponsored by Stor-Age, we would be sorely pressed to achieve our goals. Having a secure place to store the items needed for our satellite operations enables us to reach tens of thousands of children in need, including those in remote rural areas.” 

JAG Foundation 

By combining logistics support with financial assistance, Stor-Age aims to enable organisations like the JAG Foundation to expand their impact while staying focused on their core missions. 

JAG Foundation General Manager Barry Clarke shared his gratitude, saying: "We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Stor-Age for their unwavering support. Their generosity has provided us with essential space to store training equipment and has served as a vital hub for sorting and distributing donated goods to beneficiaries.” 

“Beyond storage, Stor-Age has gone the extra mile. They’ve made their vehicle and driver available on numerous occasions to collect and deliver donations. Additionally, they’ve graciously allowed us to use their boardroom whenever needed. Stor-Age’s continued support has been instrumental in helping us create meaningful change in the lives of those we serve.” 

Through initiatives like this, Stor-Age proves that businesses can play a pivotal role in empowering communities and uplifting youth development.  

Empowering education: building future leaders  

Stor-Age believes that education is a cornerstone for sustainable community development. Our initiatives are, therefore, designed to create opportunities for growth through comprehensive and meaningful education.  

Leadership programmes for disadvantaged youth  

Since 2021, Stor-Age has partnered with the Skills Development Corporation (SDC) to offer a 12-month Business Administration Service Learnership programme to 12 unemployed youth annually.  

This initiative not only equips participants with market-ready skills but also addresses South Africa’s ever-present unemployment crisis.  

Supporting small businesses: a platform for growth 

Stor-Age has become a key partner for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMMEs), offering flexible solutions that help them grow sustainably. 

Approximately 50% of Stor-Age's business customers identify as SMMEs, and 18% are entrepreneurs, highlighting our role as an incubator for economic development within communities.  

Flexible solutions for SMMEs 

Our storage solutions provide businesses with an affordable, secure space to scale their operations. Whether it’s an online retailer needing inventory storage or a service provider requiring operational flexibility, Stor-Age offers tailored solutions to meet unique business needs.  

Stor-Age business hub 

The Stor-Age Business Hub, launched in 2021, promotes local business customers through free digital marketing on our various platforms. These include Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn. This initiative increases visibility for these businesses, fostering local economic growth.  

Building partnerships: collaborating for impact 

We recognise the power that sustainable partnerships have to amplify community engagement efforts. By collaborating with well-established organisations, Stor-Age ensures that our contributions are targeted and impactful.  

Gary Kirsten Foundation  

Through our partnership with the Gary Kirsten Foundation, Stor-Age has provided storage for 20,000 donated sports shoes which were distributed to underprivileged children across South Africa.  

"The complimentary space that Stor-Age provides makes a significant difference in helping us make our community projects a reality," says Gary Kirsten, founder of the Gary Kirsten Foundation.  

"Having a space to store and sort donated items before distributing them to underprivileged communities is a key component to the success of our efforts." 

Stor-Age is incredibly grateful and proud to have been a part of this amazing initiative.  

Looking ahead to 2025  

Stor-Age’s commitment to community engagement is far from over. By scaling its education initiatives, expanding its partnerships and empowering more small businesses, the company aims to continue improving its impact in the years to come. 

Whether you’re a customer, partner or investor, Stor-Age offers more than just self storage — we offer the assurance of a brighter, more inclusive future.