“Anything under the sun is accepted,” Sachde says. “When people clean their homes ahead of a festival or occasion, they come across things they have hoarded up promising themselves to get back to them when they have time. They never do and these things are thrown away,” she says.

Old books, pen without refills, old kitchen appliances with broken handles, imitation jewellery with minor defects, bags, curtains, pillows — her list is inexhaustible. “It takes me two full cans of insect repellent to keep the cockroaches away,” says Sachde holding up a can of HIT. “Some of the items are old and gather dust and hence the piles of stuff need to be constantly disinfected.”

This brainwave came naturally to Sachde, who has been instrumental in a support group collecting and distributing free medicines and free weekend tuitions for 35 children studying in corporation schools. “The idea struck seven to eight months ago and I started asking people in the colony to hand over old things to me. The word spread,” she says.

Sachde then sorts and gives these items to organisations like Janseva Foundation and Aaple Ghar that runs orphanages and old age homes.

Sachde, who holds a B Sc in zoology, a B Ed and government diploma in stitching among others, also mends torn clothes, makes quilts out of old curtains, stuffs pillows with rags as well as washes the clothes, repairs the slight glitches in the electronic appliances, before giving them away.

While about a dozen people assist her, she almost single-handedly does it all, says member Vasudha Mule. Sanghatana secretary Madhukar Pawar says while it would be impossible for them to dabble in everything, small groups like these help to diversify their activities. “Though we are retired, the zeal to work towards a good cause still burns within us. We are financially sound, but making a difference to the lives of underprivileged sections makes our lives seem worthwhile,” he said.

The motive is purely altruistic, says Sachde. “If things no longer of use to one can bring a smile on the face of another, with a little bit of hard work thrown in, what is the harm in it?” she says. “Most of these welfare homes do not provide anything beyond food and shelter. These things will add some cheer to their lives.”