The Salvation Army’s National Recycling Operations “Kids to Camp” program is sending 267 kids to camp this year. On June 19, across Canada, customers of Salvation Army thrift stores were invited to donate funds that would help pay camp fees for less privileged campers. More than $58,000 was raised. Last year 4,800 children went to Army camps.
About National Recycling Operations
The Salvation Army National Recycling Operations exists to generate funds to support Salvation Army programs by efficiently and ethically recycling and selling donated clothing and other goods. Donated items are either dropped off at a collection point or picked up where pick-up service is available. Items are sorted and processed and sold in the Thrift Store and/or provided to needy persons through a volunteer system provided by the Family Services Department of the Salvation Army.
In an attempt to help Haiti heal Salvation Army Thrift Stores across the country raised enough money to purchase 100 UN approved tents at $500 per tent.
The month-long “Tents for Haiti” campaign was a great way for Thrift Store customers to support The Salvation Army’s ongoing disaster relief in Haiti.
The Salvation Army is grateful to its customers for helping to make “Tents for Haiti” a reality.
Says John Kershaw, Managing Director of The Salvation Army’s National Recycling Operations:
“Giving someone a home, even a temporary home, is a feeling that makes all of us stop and acknowledge how fortunate we are to live in Canada.”
Donations are urgently needed to help the Salvation Army Thrift Store overcome an unprecedented shortage of clothing and furniture.
“We would normally have mountains of clothing. Now, we have nearly bare floors,” said thrift store manager Kathy Lippert. “It’s hard to keep up with the needs when nothing’s coming in.”
The new year has presented new challenges at the Wyandotte Street store. Usually, furniture donations are made in January, as many people will donate the items after getting new furniture around Christmas. Read full story…
Second-hand stores are becoming more popular. With a slumping economy, resale is getting a boost.
Those who would never put a second-hand gift under a tree are now cash-strapped customers who are purchasing items in consignment stores and thrift shops for less than half their regular retail price.
Buying second-hand gifts is a great way to keep holiday costs down, but how do you feel about it? Is it acceptable? Is it unacceptable? Is it just plain tacky?
In Woodstock, Ont., The Salvation Army won’t be accepting after-hours donations. “It’s not that we don’t want the community’s donations, it’s that they are being stolen, wrecked or people are dumping garbage,” says Vanessa Scotney-Page, director of community and family services at The Salvation Army.
Last year, dumping costs ate up $30,000 of the Army’s budget. But, the biggest problem with after-hours donations is that people often steal the items before staff can process them.
Surveillance cameras are set up to monitor the drop-off area, but these don’t seem to deter the culprits.
Will the new chains across access routes be a deterrent? What should the Army do?
EDMONTON – Residents and staff of the Carrington Living Seniors Complex say thank you to The Salvation Army for their generous support and care following a fire that destroyed a wing and left 160 homeless on May 31.
The Salvation Army National Recycling Operations in Edmonton stepped in to provide clothing, toiletries, towels, bedding and furniture.
Says Maureen Stewart, NRO operations manager for Edmonton: “We are very involved in the community as it relates to disaster services. We are here to help people in their time of need.”
Through the generosity of thrift store customers, 10 kids in Atlantic Canada will have an opportunity to attend Salvation Army holiday camps this season. For many, this will be the only vacation they will have. In 2008, 5,000 children went to Salvation Army camps.
With more than 200 nationally and locally operated thrift stores from coast to coast The Salvation Army operates one of Canada’s largest national clothing recycling operations. The Salvation Army National Recycling Operations exists to generate funds to support Salvation Army programs by efficiently and ethically recycling and selling donated clothing and other goods.
On Saturday, June 20, 2009, The Salvation Army National Recycling warehouse in Oakville, Ontario was a hub of activity. Warehouse space was supplied to volunteers and staff of The Salvation Army Gateway shelter, located in Toronto’s downtown core, to fill “starter kits” for tenants of the Gateway who are finding a new place to live.
Two hundred Rubbermaid containers were filled with items such as razors, dishes, cutlery, soap, sheets, blankets and bath towels. Hockey for the Homeless and other benevolent organizations donated funds whereby the items were purchased.
“Gateway needed a spot to organize, sort and pack the containers. We were happy to assist,” says David Court, regional director of The Salvation Army’s National Recycling Operations in Ontario. “It is exciting when our mission and capabilities meet head on.”
The Salvation Army recognizes Canadian Environment Week, May 31 – June 6, with a continued commitment to environmental responsibility. Read the full story
Second-hand stores are becoming more popular. With a slumping economy, resale is getting a boost. 
In Woodstock, Ont., The Salvation Army won’t be accepting after-hours donations. “It’s not that we don’t want the community’s donations, it’s that they are being stolen, wrecked or people are dumping garbage,” says Vanessa Scotney-Page, director of community and family services at The Salvation Army.
EDMONTON – Residents and staff of the Carrington Living Seniors Complex say thank you to The Salvation Army for their generous support and care following a fire that destroyed a wing and left 160 homeless on May 31.
The Salvation Army recognizes Canadian Environment Week, May 31 – June 6, with a continued commitment to environmental responsibility. 
