Bargain hunters will soon be able to shop and help out local shelter animals.
The Friends of Pets Thrift Store in support of the Timmins and District Humane Society (TDHS) is opening its doors at 97 Bloor St. in South Porcupine this Saturday, June 8. The grand opening is from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
“We started collecting donations in early May and the community has been super supportive,” said Alicia Santamaria, TDHS manager.
The store, she said, will feature small pieces of furniture, vintage items, household items, clothing and more that will constantly be changing.
It's being run by volunteers and 100 per cent of the profits are for TDHS.
Santamaria said the idea is something other humane societies have been doing as an ongoing way to raise money.
"For us, one of the major costs are the medical expenses that come along with the little shelter animals we care for so we’re hoping that this thrift shop and consignment shop project will help be an ongoing support for those costs,” she said. “We hope that it’s well received by the community and we’re really excited about it.”
The hours are still being worked out, but she said it will likely be open from Monday to Saturday.
“We’re hoping to be open so that the yard sale crowd can find their way to our thrift shop,” she said.
Volunteers are still needed to help staff the shop.
The opportunity has been put out to existing volunteers at the humane society, and they're reaching out to the public as well.
“We are looking for folks who may be retired, looking for something to do,” she said, explaining help is needed to fill mid-week shifts on Tuesday and Thursday.
Donations will be continuously accepted, and there is also opportunity for local arts and crafters to sell their wares.
The handmade items can be donated or be sold on consignment.
Santamaria said for consignment items, 20 per cent of the item sold is for the humane society.
Items that can be donated are:
- Clothes, accessories, and shoes that are stain free and in good condition
- Clean household items
- Small furniture items such as small shelves, side tables and stools
- Clean and working small handheld appliances and electronics and electronics
- Clean china and glassware sets
- Books in good condition
- One-of-a-kind items, collectibles and antiques
- Jewelry
- Home decor and seasonal items in good condition
- Clean games and toys (no opened puzzles)
- Pet products in good condition
- DVDs and CDs in good condition
Items not accepted are:
- Large furniture items
- Encyclopedias, textbooks and magazines
- Plastic kitchenware
- Medium or large appliances (microwaves, fridges, etc.)
- VHS tapes, audio cassettes
- TVs, computer monitors, printers and accessories
- Used helmets, car seats or other items declared non-resalable by Health Canada
- Items that are dirty, damaged, broken or have missing parts
You can keep in touch with what's happening at the thrift store on Facebook here.
