Editor:
I have noticed several clothing donations bins on the Coast recently.
These bins collect only clothing and soft goods that are turned into cash that supports Diabetes Canada.
That organization has a three-star charity rating https://www.charityintelligence.ca/charity-details/69-diabetes-canada and takes 46 cents out of every dollar donated for overhead costs, leaving 54 cents for the charity’s work. According to the site, a three store rating means, “It has an above average results reporting score and is financially transparent, but it has high overhead spending.” All the goods that are donated are sold by the pound to Value Village, a company based out of the U.S. Contrast that information with Community Services Thrift Store, located on North Road in Gibsons. Donations are accepted on Wednesday through Saturday and can be clothes, soft good, household items and more. All the donations are used to support local programs. All of them.
Nothing goes in the landfill. Nothing.
If something is broken or unusable, it goes to recycling. Every penny that comes from selling donations stays in the community. Yes, there are lights to keep on, one staff person to pay, bank fees to pay. But all the overhead costs are covered by operational grants and donations. I don’t know the Salvation Army thrift store and the Hospital Auxiliary thrift store as intimately as I do the Community Services store (I was a former volunteer there) but I bet that most of what you donate to those stores stays in the community as well.
Please consider keeping your donations in the community. Give your extra items, extra cash and extra time to a local charity. You’ll be able to see your donation in action, you’ll keep your community vibrant, and you’ll be part of a larger, strong and healthy neighbourhood, wherever you live on the Coast.
Kim Fenton
Roberts Creek
