Plea to donate responsibly as op shops shut doors amid virus outbreak
Charity shops across Melbourne have been forced to close up amid the coronavirus spread due to a lack of volunteers and contamination fears. A few remain open and the public is urged not to dump donations at closed stores.
Leader
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A zero-waste association chief has urged people to donate to op shops “responsibly” as a number have shut their doors across Melbourne amid coronavirus fears.
As the virus threatens thousands of businesses across the city, charitable organisations are too feeling the pinch, with thrift stores from Toorak to Chelsea closing as a result of the outbreak.
And National Association of Charitable Recycling Organisations chief executive Omer Soker has also encouraged shops which are still open to introduce a 48-hour quarantine donation system, where the item is isolated before it is cleaned and made ready for resale.
“Most organisations are trying to keep open because they’re an essential service … the ones they are helping are the most disadvantaged in Melbourne,” he told the Leader.
“There have been significant changes in protocol to make sure everyone is safe, including sanitising and making quarantined donations.
“We don’t know how long the virus can stay on a surface for, but we hope in case an item has (come in contact with it), putting it in quarantine before staff clean the item will help keep the item safe for purchase.”
Vulnerable children and family charity Family Life announced the closure of its six opportunity shops from Black Rock to Chelsea, however a spokeswoman confirmed that thrift shoppers would be ale to access items online.
The charity’s three service centres at Sandringham, Cheltenham and Frankston will remain open.
Sacred Heart Mission closed its doors at St Kilda East and Cheltenham but has ten locations still open.
Other independent vintage stores — including the Toorak Op Shop and St Augustines Southern Op Shop Mentone — have closed doors indefinitely.
“We would dearly love our loyal community to hold their donations until our shops re-open, however, given the current environment we are unable to say when this will be,” a Family Life spokeswoman said.
“We are launching an online store next week in an effort to save our op shops.”
“Because of (our) social purpose we will attempt to keep stores open for as long as possible (and) until the government advises otherwise, while ensuring our staff and volunteers are able to safely continue to work,” Sacred Heart Mission spokeswoman Brittany Dupree said.
“As staff and volunteer availability has decreased, it has placed extra pressure on the remaining teams … we have started to see fewer people shopping, and donating which is understandable.”
CBD thrift shop hot spot Retro Star on Swanston St has kept its doors open but with reduced open hours, and statewide chain Storehouse Thrift has shifted to online sales only.
Red Cross media adviser Angela Lemme confirmed their stores would remain open until directed otherwise by the government, and vintage giant Savers staff confirmed doors were open across all Melbourne locations.
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Mr Soker urged all people looking to donate to not leave goods outside, and to look up a nearby location if their local op shop was forced to close.
The plea comes after serial dumpers trashed a Salvation Army shop on Centre Rd in East Bentleigh last month.
“Don’t dump goods at the bins or out the front of the shops … it won’t help anyone and the donation will just be ruined in the elements,” he said.
“Volunteers are trying hard to keep most op shops open … if you dump, charities and council have to spend money on waste management and the goods won’t be put to good use.
“People can visit our website to find their nearest open location … please don’t dump.”
For more information on where to donate items, visit nacro.org.au