The Salvation Army Thrift Store is having its worst period of donations in almost a decade and is appealing for public – the first time it has done so in eight years.
And staff at the store, located at 4912 – 52 St., is at a loss in fully understanding why donations have dropped off so dramatically this year.
“This is my tenth year here and it is the worst I have ever seen,’ said store manager Denise Guthro, adding the situation has been especially desperate over the past two months. “The store is busy but we are not getting donations.”
Guthro said the situation has impacted sales, and while there is no thought yet as to how it might impact the store’s five salaried employees there is growing concern.
“We are hoping cutbacks won’t have to be made. All of us need our jobs,” said Guthro.
She speculated the cold winter and sluggish economy might be two reasons. As well, the baffling and heartbreaking vandalism in the back of the store last fall might be another.
Over a period of several weeks last fall the back area of store was the target of at least one vandal, which resulted in fire damage to a shed and destruction of donation bins and to many items. Staff spent many hours cleaning up the mess left from the acts of vandalism, said Guthro.
As a result of the vandalism the store spent about $6,000 on a new fence.
Guthro said the new fence may be deterring people from making donations but she added there are signs posted in back informing citizens that the store is open 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through to Saturday.
“We think many people are not used to the fence,’ she said. “But there are signs saying when we are open.”
Guthro said while she hopes the public appeal for more donations will help the store’s fortunes staff is now working hard on summer stock. However, there is already concern for the next fall and winter seasons as inventories for those periods are low.
In the meantime, the store has brought back its truck pick-up service that was discontinued five years ago. The service will run on Wednesday afternoons and will only be used to pick up large items.
“We find we get calls from seniors or from people who are moving and don’t have the means to get to us,” said Guthro. “We are in desperate need of everything.
“It is a trying time. We are hoping and trusting in the good Lord to help us so we can assist the community the best we can.”
