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.”

Watch this CNN video on how a piece of clothing makes it from a donation bin to the rack at a Salvation Army Thrift Store.

The Salvation Army recognizes Canadian Environment Week, May 31 – June 6, with a continued commitment to environmental responsibility. Read the full story

On Thursday, May 21, 2009, The Salvation Army’s National Recycling Operations (NRO) partnered with Health Partners International (HPI) to send a 40-foot container of supplies to Captain (Dr.) Paul Thistle at The Salvation Army Howard Hospital in Harare, Zimbabwe.

HPI sends medical supplies and medical drugs to Howard Hospital several times a year. This time, NRO added a donation of more than one hundred boxes of medical-surgical gloves to the shipment, courtesy of Wayne Safety Supply Company in Toronto.

The HPI shipments to Howard Hospital from their Mississauga warehouse are coordinated by Mr. Bert Amato, a friend and benefactor of the hospital.

Major Patricia Tuppenney, Territorial Volunteer Services Secretary, arranged to have several volunteers help load the container.

As of April 1, 37 Salvation Army thrift stores across Ontario, a number of them in greater Toronto, will recycle old electronic and computer hardware. Read the full story

Jan 31 - HAM - Too many coats clogging up your closet?

You can get your cleaner to take them off your hands and help put them on the backs of those in need.

The near constant cold weather compounded by the recession has doubly affected the Salvation Army’s coat donation stockpile.

“This time of year is when thrift stores would have the most challenge in keeping supplies coming in,” said Major Byron Jacobs, public relations director for the Ontario Great Lakes division of the Salvation Army. Read full story…

Source: The Spec.com