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Second-hand stores throughout the district are calling for new volunteers to help them get running again as they face an impending deluge from lockdown clean-outs.
The Harbour Hospice shops in Warkworth and Wellsford opened last week to a flurry of cabin-fevered shoppers.
Retail services manager Maria Baird says shop teams have been working hard to prepare for a possible inundation of goods.
She says many of the Hospice shop volunteers fit within the at-risk age bracket for Covid-19 and so the shops are looking for more to join their team.
“We have some incredible younger volunteers who are eager to give back, learn new skills and get the volunteer recognition on their CV, and we’d love more to help fill this gap.
“But, anyone with the time and passion to help would be welcomed with open arms.”
In Warkworth, the shops are open from Wednesday to Saturday, 10am to 3pm, and the Wellsford shop is open Wednesday to Friday, 10am to 3pm. The hospice shop in Te Hana is not opening for Level 2.
“People are welcome to donate at the open stores, but we’d love everyone to keep in mind that we’ll be working at a reduced capacity. If you can contact us before arriving at the store with donations that would be really helpful.”
The store is unable to make pick-ups or drop offs in Level 2, however people can still register on the website for pick-ups of large donations to be put on a wait-list.
The Warkworth Community Shop was optimistic it will reopen in Level 2, depending if the shop can meet government guidelines.
Co-owner John McEwing says the shop will initially have to restrict what donations it accepts.
It already has winter stock that has been accumulated over months kept in storage. It now needs to be put on shelves.
“Our stock room is already full. We will have to restrict donations to smaller items, such as bric-a-brac to begin with,” John says.
All donations have to be cleaned and sanitised before being on the shop floor, which means it will take longer to process stock.
The Mahu Community Trading Post is not intending to open until the country moves to Alert Level 1 and is not accepting any donated goods until then.
“It would be a big ask for volunteers to come in and risk getting sick when they’ve done so much for the community,” coordinator Desiree Hoey says.
“Many of the volunteers and the customers are within the at-risk demographic, and two- metre distancing would be difficult in the shop.”
She says the shop is also eager to have young and healthy volunteers come forward to help get trading started again once the store reopens.
Those wanting to help out can contact: Mahu Community Trading Post on Facebook or 021 0825 5917; Harbour Hospice, email volunteer@harbourhospice.org.nz or see online story for form.
