The Salvation Army Thrift Store is again helping Innisfail and area families put brand new items under the Christmas tree this year.
Thanks to their annual Christmas sale, local residents and families who may be struggling at this time of year are given the opportunity to purchase new items at a reasonable price.
The Salvation Army Christmas sale was held on Dec. 4.
“Anything that comes in that's still new, with packaging and labels on it, we price and stock,” said Denise Guthro, manager at the Salvation Army Thrift Store. “We collect items from the first of January to the first Friday in December each year.”
Items are then taken out of storage for the Christmas sale on the first Friday in December.
“It affords people who don't have a lot of money, who can't buy items at the big box store prices to come here and still have something new to give someone at Christmas,” she said.
The store prices clothing, toys and other items accordingly, and at a discount.
“Usually we try to go no less than a third of the original price,” explained Guthro. “But on some items we know that a third is still too much so we'll judge accordingly.”
The Christmas sale every year is open to everyone in the community.
“Some people are here every day but we do give out flyers for about three weeks prior to our sale, so that if there's someone in the community that doesn't typically come in, then somebody else could pass on a flyer and let them know about our Christmas sale.”
New donations are lower than in previous years, noted Guthro, adding that most of the year, typical donations are used items in good condition.
All funds raised through the annual Christmas sale and of items throughout the year go to needy families in Innisfail, Penhold and area.
“Funds raised will also help the families that apply for assistance at our office in Red Deer,” she said. “The funds that come in through the store goes back into the community.”
Members of the public are welcome to donate items after the Christmas sale as well, she noted.
“Once the new product is out we don't take it off the shelves and store it again,” said Guthro. “If anything new comes in between today and the end of the year, we continue to put out new items as they come in.”
Denise Guthro
"It affords people who don't have a lot of money, who can't buy items at the big box store prices, to come here and still have something new to give someone at Christmas."
