Thrift & Treasure Shops – Helping Neighbours Near and Far
Horizons operates a Thrift and a Treasure Shop on the street level of its building in Cobourg, Ontario putting into practice our commitment to help neighbours both near and far. The shops receive donations of quality second hand clothing and small household items and sell them at very affordable prices to raise funds for the grassroots development programs of our partners in Central America and Southern Mexico. Business is booming at the shops which contribute over 10% to Horizons’ non-CIDA annual revenue.
The shops provide a crucial service to people of Northumberland and surrounding areas who are unable financially to shop at a first run retail store. At least half of the average of 75 customers per day state that they can not afford to shop anywhere else. The shops also collaborate with many local community organizations in providing clothes and household items free of charge to those in need. The list of organizations includes The Northumberland Services for Women, Transition House, Alderville First Nation’s Women’s Shelter, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Salvation Army and Neighbourhood Link. The shops also provide job placement opportunities with Community Living, Community Service Order and volunteer hours for high school students.
The shop is run by a dedicated group of approximately 45 volunteers under the efficient coordination of a shop supervisor and shop assistant. The volunteers whose ages range from 15 to 85 are always keen to greet customers and know many on a first-name basis. They consider Horizons their “home away from home” and are happy to be contributing to the well being of neighbours near and far.
The Thrift shop offers clothes, books, toys and kitchenware most under $3 each, while the Treasure shop features higher end goods at bargain prices. Customers regularly stock up on fair trade goods such as coffee, tea and chocolate certified by TransFair Canada (as well as our famous Manila hammocks made by members of a Nicaraguan Co-operative.
Thanks to the support of The Ontario Trillium Foundation the shops have been wheelchair accessible since 1999 and were renovated in 2004 to improve shelving, workspace and customer areas.
The Thrift and Treasure Shops are a model of community involvement, offering a meaningful volunteer experience, quality goods at affordable prices and much needed funds to assist families living in poverty in Mesoamerica.
