Fellowship Baptist Thrift store to close, citing less need, changing demographics
The Tumbler Ridge Fellowship Baptist Church is closing the thrift store early next month.
“After prayerful consideration and weighing all the pros and cons the board of directors and volunteers of TR Baptist Church has made the decision to close the Thrift Store,” says a note from Thrift Store Manager Susan Hammond.
As of now, says Hammond, the thrift store will no longer be accepting donations.
She says for her, it is becoming more and more difficult to manage the store, due to chronic health issues.
And, she says, the Thrift Store was started to meet a need in the community. When the mines closed down, a lot of people needed help, and the community was seeing more low-income families being placed in town by various levels of government because of an excess of low rent accommodations and a decrease in our economy, among other factors.
“The Lord opened a door and TR Fellowship stepped in,” says Hammond. “Through the generosity of the community and many hours of volunteer work we have been able to supply good quality clothing and linens to these individuals at a very low price and in some cases no cost. The revenue generated in turn has allowed us to allocate funds to various other needs within the community.”
But, she says. Things are changing. “Change is good and we need to be a part of that change,” she says. “Our economy is turning around. Many of the people with the greatest needs are now gainfully employed or have moved on because of various factors. Money flows a little easier.”
She says the quality of the clothing coming into the Thrift Store is changing, too. We get hundreds of pounds weekly, and most of it ends up in the dump, rag bag, free for the taking or SPCA for animal bedding.
Why? “Frankly, aside from the women’s clothing, much of it is stained, ripped, reeking of smoke, covered in animal hair and, in other words unsuitable for anyone!”
While she and another volunteer regularly take home items to wash and mend, a lot of the outfits are worthless.
Instead of meeting the needs of people in the community, she says, the Thrift Store is now just seeing brand name bargain hunters. “It’s not about the money, but my perspective is we no longer have the need as much as we have the greed. Yes we still have the needy and always will. I don’t feel we are reaching them effectively – if at all!”
She says the people of this community are extremely generous, and social media is now meeting the needs of people more than the store. “Have a need? Ask! Inevitably you will have what you want within the day.”
And for those people looking for bargain brand names? There are many clothing closets being run out of people’s homes. “All of this is good,” she says, “it only means the thrift store is getting the clothing that is less desirable.”
And so the thrift store has become the dumping ground for everything and anything, she says. “Stuff is left outside the doors of the store, and leaves us no choice other than to deal with it. Many times clothes and items we don’t accept at the store are mixed together and we accept them not knowing. As well, we have found dirty diapers, personal hygiene items (used and un-used), uncapped syringes … it’s nasty.”
But, she says, that original mission, to meet the needs of the community, is still in place. “A supply of clothing from items already donated will be kept for emergency situations that arise in the community. We will network with other non-profits to make this available to the most needy. All funds presently in account will be distributed within the community as well as any monetary amounts realized through donation and the sale of display racks and shelving.”
And the stuff that is left? Starting January 30, all remaining stock will be made available to the public free of charge until the store closes on March 16.
“Thank you for supporting TR through the lean years with your donations and monetary support.”
