Op shops reopen after lockdown
Charity shops are looking to refill their piggy banks after the impact of the coronavirus lockdown.
Hospice shops in Waiwhakaiho, Ha¯wera and the warehouse in Borrell Ave, New Plymouth, are set to reopen today, while the stores in Westown and Stratford will reopen tomorrow.
Hospice Taranaki chief executive Paul Lamb said the lockdown had reduced the organisation’s monthly income by 55 per cent, but they had been fortunate to receive the government wage subsidy.
‘‘Without that we would have been reducing our staff numbers and services,’’ Lamb said.
Hospice had cut costs where it could during the lean financial times and staff were also taking temporary reductions in their salaries.
‘‘We are hoping that our shops reopening on Monday will be the panacea to help us climb back out of the situation that we are in,’’ Lamb said.
He also hoped anybody who had a clean-out during the lockdown would donate.
‘‘We are always turning our stock over and people come into our shops so frequently because our stock turns so quickly.
‘‘So if anybody has got items they are ready to donate that’s fantastic.’’
Lamb said people had been calling asking when they would be reopening because they wanted to come in, donate and support.
‘‘Every dollar donated and spent through our shops is spent locally in Taranaki, and we use that to support the delivery of our care services that are free to anybody, anywhere and any time with a palliative care need,’’ he said.
‘‘Who knows it could be one of us in six months’ time.’’
New Plymouth Salvation Army
Corps officer Karl Foreman said their family stores in Waitara and New Plymouth had been getting ready to open today.
They rely quite heavily on the family store income to support mission and ministry in the community, he said.
The need for assistance had been steady throughout lockdown. ‘‘It could be ongoing for a while yet.’’