Thrift store declines donations due to back upscale

The thrift store at Jasper’s United Church is asking people to stop dropping off donations, as a backlog at the company that collects excess items has left the church basement packed full of stuff. 

Store manager Shirley Baxter called the situation an “emergency,” and asked residents to store extra items or offer them to friends until things get moving again. “We can’t have anything coming in, we’re full and we’ve got nowhere to put it,” she said. “Anything that comes in now is going to have to go in the garbage.”

The Alberta Association for Community Living, which normally sends a truck to collect Jasper’s excess items, was hit by staffing shortages and had to cancel its regular pickup in Jasper.  

Volunteer Wayne Kennedy said not only is the store getting too much stuff, but that many of the items are too dirty or old to sell. “We’re getting shoes that are worn right out, dishes that are broken and so badly stained and scratched they should have ended up in the garbage in the first place,” he said. 

The store is still open and staff will be doing what they can to clear the shelves. “It’ll be bargain night in here for the next two to three weeks,” Kennedy said, adding it’s a great place to pick up a costume. “Halloween stuff has been rolling out the door.”

Assistance is always welcomed, but that’s not the store’s priority at the moment. “Volunteers are always handy, but it’s our lack of space right now, we’re overwhelmed,” Kennedy said. “Space is always a concern.” He said it’s been suggested that the store needs a bigger setup, but he figures it would grow to fit its boundaries no matter what the size.

With any luck, the Alberta Association for Community Living will be back on track by mid-November. Jasper sends off about 14 tonnes of extra stuff each year, so it’s easy to imagine the number of donation items in a city the size of Edmonton and the pressures felt at that end of the operation.

Kennedy added the halt is temporary, and that the store is grateful for the help from the community. “We definitely want to thank everyone for supporting the store, but please look closely at your donations,” he said. “Give them to friends and cut back on donations for the next couple weeks.”

Proceeds from the thrift store support the Jasper United Church.