Pop-in Op Shop

AS MANY continue to struggle with the rising cost of living, there are still people trying to make that struggle just a little easier.

They commonly fly under the radar whilst giving selflessly their time and talent to benefit the community in which they live.

Kerrie Gordes is one such person. When the Anglican OP Shop had to relocate recently due to increasing rents, the parish made the decision to relocate the shop into the Memorial Hall, a huge job which involved a lot of work for Kerrie and her band of helpers.

Hours of sorting, cleaning and arranging displays went into making the newly opened OP Shop –now named The Pop-In Op Shop – into a treasure trove of bargains for those seeking items to keep them warm for the winter: blankets, rugs and coats now feature prominently as the cold continues.

Kerrie’s husband Lee, as in all good relationships, helps with heavy lifting and pick-up and delivery duties.

The shop serves not only to bring affordable items to the public, but is the distribution point of care packs for those in great need and a place to stop and have a chat when life gets too difficult and a friendly ear is needed.

With the aid of ten other dedicated volunteers, Kerry sorts the donations and makes decisions about the best place for them – in the shop for sale, in bags for those seeking materials to sew and in containers to go to the “Tip Shop” for articles that can’t be housed.

The motto of the shop is ‘reuse or recycle’.

This means there is no waste and the proceeds of the sales go to the church to help them bear the cost of the soup kitchen and breakfasts which also operate out of the hall, and to provide food packages for the very needy.

People who have been priced out of their rentals, have a great need of goods to relocate, or set up some form of shelter, and Kerrie makes sure those in need are able to be helped.

The shop sells, clothes household items, jewellery, books and jigsaw puzzles as well as assorted bric-a-brac.

Why not pop in for a look, perhaps find a bargain, and assist those less fortunate in our community.

The shop is open Monday to Thursday 9am till 1pm, the entrance is from Ellena St.