THE volunteers at a Millicent charity shop continue to be dismayed at the thoughtless actions of some so-called “donors”.
While grateful for those who give away surplus saleable items, the Millicent Salvation Army Thrift Shop workers cannot understand why so many sub-standard items are left at the two collection points in Millicent.
“Each week we take a trailer load of rubbish to the dump and Wattle Range Council does not charge us,” shop co-manager Madeleine Schapel said.
“It is disgusting some of the things that are given to us.
“We get broken shoes and electrical goods as well as dirty clothes and those with perspiration marks.
“There are even children’s books given to us where all the puzzles and colouring-in activities have been done.
“Why bring it to us when the clothes are unwearable and unsaleable?
“It is better to put them straight in the red-lidded rubbish bins.”
Her views are shared with other shop workers including Mavis Kloock and Chris Manhood.
Like the majority of the 14 volunteers at the shop, Ms Kloock is not directly involved with the Salvation Army but supports its outreach to people in need.
“All the money that is raised by the thrift shop stays in Millicent,” Ms Kloock said.
“Volunteering in the shop is something we like doing and we enjoy each other’s company.”
However, she does not hide her dislike for those who treat the Salvation Army collection bins as rubbish disposal facilities.
“Why bring the rubbish to us?,” Ms Kloock said.
Ms Manhood said dealing with the poor quality donated goods made extra work for the volunteers.
She said the introduction of vouchers at the waste depots may have prompted some people to use the charity bins instead.
From time to time, Millicent’s other charity shops also complain about the amount of unsaleable goods donated to them.
Despite the disappointment with the ongoing issue of dumped unsaleable goods, the Millicent Salvation Army Thrift Shop is thinking about moving to larger premises.
It currently trades from Tuesday to Saturday and these days may be extended.
