Sharon Terriah knows as well as anyone how one person’s trash can be another person’s treasure.
But the United Church thrift shop manager knows there’s a line between what items may find a new life in the hands of others, and what is best suited to the landfill. Unfortunately, Terriah and the thrift shop volunteers frequently find items dropped off outside of store hours that are destined for the dump. But there is a cost to this, not only to the thrift shop, but to the community as well.
“We’re spending anywhere from $6,000 to $8,000 a year, and that’s money that will not be going back into the community,” says Terriah. “We give money to the resource centre, we give money to the food programs at both the elementary and the high school, we send stuff down to the cancer clinic, stuff goes to Mexico, stuff goes to the Philippines, lots of good stuff.”
Theft and vandalism are also a problem the store has to contend with. Terriah notes how recently a couch and chair set was taken after they were purchased. “We were out $80, and have to give her money back– they had ‘sold’ written right on them,” says Terriah.
What’s most regrettable about the thefts, says Terriah, is that they are unnecessary.
“If they needed a helping hand up, all they have to do is come in and very discreetly ask, and we’d give them anything they needed,” she says.
Bernice Hyam oversees thrift shop operations. She estimates the store keeps 20 tons of unwanted clothes alone, per year, out of the landfill. And Hyam doesn’t like to see the shop’s senior volunteer workers have to deal with more labour than necessary.
Neither Terriah nor Hyam wish to discourage donations, but ask that people come by the shop when it’s open and check out what’s needed.
Donations of labour are also appreciated – Hyam says volunteers are wanted, particularly young people who might be looking for work.
