Thrift stores reopening after strict lockdown rules are finding themselves with an overwhelming amount of donations and nowhere to send them.

General Manager of Mission Thrift in Okotoks, Colin Rumary, says the lockdown gave people a lot of downtime to clean and de-clutter, resulting in an accumulation of donations flooding in at a much higher rate.

He says many organizations that would usually take on the excess stock have been unable to do so.

"One of the biggest things that's hurt us is all the recycling people have shut down. There is no clothing going overseas. The Canadian Diabetes Association basically has shut down and they used to take a huge amount of recycling from us."

The issue of storage has only been confounded by a lack of returning volunteers following their reopening.

It's a problem countless thrift stores are facing, with different organizations coming up with their own solutions.

According to Rumary, some have rented storage units or even office spaces to accommodate piles and piles of stock.

He says many have also implemented measures to stem the flow.

"We used to take donations six days a week from 10-4 every day. We're down to four days a week from noon to 4, and in that short period of time, our storeroom in the back fills right up."

Despite this, some good has come from the situation.

Mission Thrift has identified several organizations and communities to which they can send clothing and other goods.

Rumary says they recently sent a large amount to the Mustard Seed of Calgary, as well as several First Nations communities in southern and central Alberta and further north.

"We're sending a big load up to Nunavut to three communities up there, and the chiefs up there are going also to fly some out to some remote areas. We've sent school supplies, books, clothing, you name it."

He says it's provided some valuable perspective.

"Our entire focus as to where this stuff could possibly go, and all the good that that's doing is amazing. If you think about it, before, these people were being neglected. Now, things have changed. Everybody's focusing on them."

Though these newfound causes have provided some relief to the recent excess, Rumary says he's always keeping an eye out for more.

"Anybody out there who can identify a mission to the less fortunate, no matter who they are, we need to hear from them, because if they have a registered charity, or a church, or a charitable affiliation that they can call on, I can add them to the thirty-odd groups we're already helping."

Mission Thrift is also still in need of volunteers, and anyone looking to lend a hand is invited to inquire on their website.

 

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