Thrifters opportunity shop in the main street of Ngatea has donated more than $70,000 to its community since it opened just two years ago.
The op shop and charitable trust, which offers low-priced donated items, celebrated its two-year anniversary last month with a morning tea for volunteers and supporters.
Managers Kate Main said a team of more than 20 volunteers donated their time to run the shop. “It’s the only way we can run really, it’s because of the generosity of the vollies. We have a really good team, all different ages,” she said.
“We never thought it would be such a machine really, because it’s not a big shop but… the formula is working and we’re happy with it. Everyone just works together, that’s what’s great, that’s what I find really good.”
The op shop was working well, she said. “Everyone just works together, that’s what’s great, people are just really, really supportive. If we weren’t getting the goods, we wouldn’t be able to be doing the job.
“We definitely took a plunge but we knew what we were doing and we knew what worked. We have an amazing landlord… and we’ve got all the community supporting us as well.”
Kate and Sally Johnstone set up the shop to take the pressure off local businesses, who were giving out thousands of dollars in sponsorship to community groups.
“These little businesses are just hounded constantly, we’ve got 12 communities feeding into Ngatea,” Kate said.
“We just wanted to do something that we knew the money was actually supporting the businesses and staying local.”
People can apply to the trust for funding, which is distributed in four rounds per year, with the trust giving vouchers for local businesses where applicable.
“If the scouts want a sausage sizzle, we’ll say well you put in an application and we’ll give you vouchers for the butcher’s shop next door in Ngatea.”
Nothing went to waste in the shop, which rotated its clothing every two months, she said.
“There’s nothing wrong with the clothing… it goes back out to the community for free and what doesn’t go for free goes to Tonga, we have very, very little wastage in this place.
“We’ve got our ear to the ground and we know when people are needing stuff.
“We try and make sure it’s an op shop that people who need to stop at an op shop feel comfortable here.”
DETAILS: To enquire about Thrifters, phone: 07 867 7763.
