New Home for Orphans Aid
It’s really big … it has to be.
Orphans Aid International, formerly of Tay Street, has outgrown its premises and has now relocated to 106 Spey Street.
Founder and director Sue van Schreven said there were “mixed feelings” when the Tay Street shop closed on Friday, June 3rd.
“We had been there six years and four months,” Sue said.
“Also it was where we kind of got started. We had grown there and met lots of people. Thank you to the Invercargill community for the past six and a half years. However we recognize we have got bigger and it was time to move.”
Too much “stuff” was part of the reason. “When we first moved in to Tay Street we took up a little corner – six years on it wasn’t working for us. It was just the right time to ‘grow up’ and move into something more suitable.”
With bigger premises the charity shop will now be able to display some of the furniture that has been donated, as well as show off its goods better.
“Spey Street is a more suitable building with undercover parking for dropping things off.”
The shop is a “chance to campaign about the orphan projects overseas” Sue said, as well as other projects in New Zealand and locally in our own community.
Orphans Aid gives away a food hamper each week to a “needy” family. Any family can be nominated; simply speak to the ladies at the shop and the name will go into the weekly draw.
Helping the “very poor” families in the far north is another project the organisation has taken on board, as well as their continuing fund-raising for Christchurch.
“We have already given $4,500 for food parcels, plus other money for Christchurch families from the buckets we have put out and about,” Sue said.
With all the giving, the aid shop needs donations also to continue the good work.
They keep their prices low to help families here, as well as others overseas and locally, Sue said.
“We keep our prices low so families can find good, affordable clothing.”
Donations of “good quality” goods are always welcome. As Sue said, it’s all about turnover – they try to have a quick turnover and good quality items to sell.
“We try to set a high standard.”
And with a bigger premises comes the need for more volunteers.
Currently the shop has about 18 volunteers who help out, but more are needed, shop manager Kathryn Casey said.
“Because the building is so much larger and we are so much busier, we need another eight to ten volunteers.”
If you are interested in volunteering, an application form can be obtained from the Orphans Aid shop in Spey Street.
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