Op shops are usually operated by a charity where new or used goods are donated for sale at a low price.
Op shops are a vital source of funding for community support programs helping tens of thousands of people in crisis and in need in our communities through the money they raise.
About 2500 charities operate across Australia with approximately 76,000 volunteers who give their time generously.
Nearly every suburb has one or two and at the back of the All Saints Anglican Church at 61-63 Hitchcock Ave, Barwon Heads, there’s three rooms filled with all kinds of hidden gems.
There are 30 cheerful volunteers sorting and filling the shelves with your donated goods while socialising with other helpers and op shoppers.
The environmentally friendly donator reduces their carbon footprint and helps prevent clothes from ending up in landfill. It reduces chemical pollution and aids water preservation which is a big part of producing cotton for new clothes and boosts the development of local charities.
Over 40 million transactions through charity op shops (one or more items per transaction) – is equivalent to every Australian shopping and making a purchase at least twice a year.
The All Saints op shop was set up 42 years ago and during that time they have dispersed over $1 million into the local community and are on their way to the second million.
Funds are dispersed twice a year and must be applied for and, later, shown how the money
was spent. While half the funds go to the church there are several groups that receive regular funding.
Recipients include St Peter’s church and the Catholic and Uniting churches. They support the Hamilan Fistula Foundation in Ethiopa, Combined Refugee Australia Organisation, Bellarine Refugees for legal fees, Debbie’s House, Feed Me Bellarine, chaplaincy at Ocean Grove Primary School, the Fire Brigade, Scouts and more.
Committee members are able to put up a charitable group who would benefit from funding.
Recently the Compassionate Hearts on the Bellarine group received $1500 that will support palliative care initiatives across the Bellarine for training purposes and publishing stories about their clients receiving end of life care and other expenses.
Funds are disbursed in May and November. Application information margaretpowell4@bigpond.com
Marg is also the contact for anyone wanting to become a volunteer – 0418-176 400.
For information about Compassionate Hearts on the Bellarine contact Karren Ekberg at– info@chob.org.au or 0409-026 020.
