Thrift sale continues to help those in need
Shannon LeClair
Times Reporter
The United Church held their 35 annual thrift sale this past weekend. From April 14 to 16, hundreds of people streamed through the church doors to find a bargain.
“We’re just delighted that it still serves the same purpose,” said Lynne Fair, an organizer and member of the church.
“We’ve had people come to us that have had fire in their home, or that have had some special need and they’re referred to us. Then they get to come and just help themselves to the things that they need to.”
The sale is held twice a year, always the third week in April and October. The date was picked because that was the week family allowance cheques used to come out. By setting the sale for the week after the cheques, it allowed many families to be able to buy what they needed, which they may not have been able to afford otherwise.
The United Church women began the sale in 1976 and the sale of ‘items with experience’ has grown beyond expectations. The aim of the project has been to provide sale items to those in need, and because of this, the prices have barely changed from what they were over 30 years ago.
“We just felt that there were people in the community who could use perfectly good clothes. It started small and has grown to what you see over the years,” said Fair.
“The need is always going to be here, and anything that’s left over we take to the Drop Inn Centre in Calgary.”
She said they have donated the left over items to the Mustard Seed in the past and the Mennonite Central Community Thrift store. They phone in advance and see who could use the help.
“We don’t throw it out or anything, it goes to the best people who can use it,” said Fair.
There were things there for just about everyone – household items, toys, knick-knacks and a mini mountain of clothes. Fair said sometimes people buy clothes and never wear them. Or if someone passes away, there is a whole wardrobe of clothes to pass along because they may not know what else to do with them.
“Most people come back each day, because a lot of those piles only get turned over in a day,” said Fair.
“We’re really, really happy that many families we can see come shopping who need it.”
Because of how much the program has grown, the church counts on the support of other congregations, and members of the community. While the sale may be over for now, they will still be looking for volunteers in October. If you would like to help with future thrift sales, contact either Deen Hymas at 403-934-5803, Elisabeth Stuiksma at 403-934-3264 or Lynne Fair at 403-934-4359.