There may be millions of banks in the world, but few are like the new "Charity Bank" in Nanjing, which exchanges love and kindness instead of cash and cheques.

Located in the middle of Nanhu Street, the 20-square-metre "Charity Bank" seems to be poorly-equipped, but appeals to many visitors.

More than 200 people have visited since it opened on January 4, donating 20,000 yuan (US$2,500) in cash and 1,000 items worth a total of 40,000 yuan (US$5,000).

That's according to manager Wang Lei, also the director of the Nanhu Street Community Administration Committee.

"Most of the people have donated things they no longer need, and sometimes they designate what kind of people they want to give the items to," said Wang.

Wang said people can get deposit cards from the bank which record the help they have given and the people they have helped.

"Seeing their donations benefiting so many people is the only profit they get. Though bringing no economic interest, this kind of profit is meaningful and encouraging," said Wang.

The bank has already given out half of the donations received to people who have asked for help.

Wang said senior citizens living alone and migrant groups in her community are the target groups, as well as those hit by emergencies.

According to Wang, the bank's management team, selected by the community, has recorded every detail of the bank's input and output which will be made public on a regular basis. "All the donations given to the bank will be used properly. Those who donate cash or items have the right to know where their donations have gone," said Wang.

Wang also said that the bank assesses those who apply for help in order to guarantee that all donations are given to those truly in need.

According to Wang, her own bank and supermarket get about 60,000 yuan (US$7,500) every year from the Nanjing Red Cross Society, the Nanjing Charity Federation and the Nanjing municipal government.

"But it is far from enough and covers only a small proportion of those in need," said Wang.

"So we need to do something else to collect as many donations as we can," Wang added.

Nanhu Street, one of the less-developed communities in Nanjing, has seen a large proportion of its residents laid off. Many people living there are migrant workers who don't earn enough money to live on.

Zhou Yi from the Nanjing Charity Federation said community leaders like Wang are usually familiar with the situation of residents in their districts and know what they need.

"So charity work organized by community leaders may prove to be very helpful," said Zhou.

More and more non-governmental charity organizations set up by civil or community groups have been reported recently in several provinces.

(China Daily January 9, 2006)