Since its opening little more than a year ago, Thrifters in Ngātea has donated $42,000 to community groups and initiatives in the area.
The op shop and charitable trust, which offers low-priced donated items, is intent on “spreading the love”.
Managers Sally Johnstone and Kate Main told The Profile the ethos of the store stemmed from a desire to “take the pressure off” other businesses in the Hauraki town.
“There are 12 communities that feed into Ngātea, so the businesses can sometimes get hounded for sponsorship,” Kate said. “But now, we give vouchers to groups rather than them going and asking [the businesses] to sponsor.”
The op shop, along the main drag, has 15 volunteers, and Kate and Sally said the team was “not idle”.
“They are very proud of the shop, so we’re proud because they are proud.”
Since its opening in June last year, Thrifters has fed $42,000 in cash back into the community by supporting groups such as Lions and Probus clubs, the Kerepēhi Brass Band, basketball teams, and playcentres and schools.
They’ve also given items away to local individuals and groups in need.
“We like to spread the love,” Sally said. “We do a lot of non-monetary giveaways.”
“The more we support locals,” Kate added, “the more the locals realise what we’re doing and support us.”
Thrifters also accepts deceased estates, and has a “pop-up” shop operating across the road where larger items, like furniture, is kept.
Tammy Angell, originally from Canada, has been volunteering since the end of June this year.
She was manning the pop-up shop when The Profile visited one Wednesday morning and said she “really enjoys” helping out.
“I like the philosophy of stuff coming in locally, it gets sold, and the money goes back into the community you live in,” she said. “I am familiar with that philosophy and I like it and get behind it, so for me, it’s really good.”
DETAILS: To enquire about Thrifters, phone: 07 867 7763.
BY KELLEY TANTAU
