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Steveston volunteer gives clearing out, donation advice

A Steveston-based volunteer group is offering advice on how to package those closet and garage clear-out items for donation.
Hartwell
Shirley Hartwell-Whitby has some sage advice for everyone currently clearing out closets and garages during the pandemic. Photo submitted

A Steveston-based volunteer group is offering advice on how to package those closet and garage clear-out items for donation.

Shirley Hartwell-Whitby, who set up Auntie’s Helping Hands with a few like-minded friends, has her from almost everyone she’s spoken to recently how they’re all using their enforced home time to clean out the likes of closets and garages.

However, with charities’ thrift stores being closed and/or not accepting donations during the pandemic, any potential donations have nowhere to go.

So, in the meantime, Aunties Helping Hands – whose motto is “lending a hand where we can” - have some thrifty advice for these challenging times.

“It’s good for the soul to purge, especially at this time,” said Hartwell-Whitby, who used to run The Candy Dish in Steveston.

“I think it helps us feel as if we’re accomplish something and contribute something at the same time. This is a great time to get that stuff sorted, bagged and labelled, ready to be donated when the thrift stores finally re-open.”

Hartwell-Whitby said people can get stuff ready right now because, when “things open up again, there will be a great need for thrift shops in Richmond to start fundraising again for their causes.

“Also, people with reduced income will need clothing to get back to work.”

She said volunteers at such stores spend many hours sorting and repacking donations, so a few extra steps taken right now by donators will help make the process more efficient in getting items to those in need faster.

“It is greatly appreciated when you wash, sort, and put items in clear bags with labels (esp. the clothing), helping the volunteers maximise their time in distribution to various outlets,” Hartwell-Whitby added.

She suggests that people:

Separate into bags and label:

 *   Womens/Mens/Kids clothing (label if winter and hold until September)

 *   Shoes/purses/belts/scarves/travel bags/hats /jewellery/accessories

 *   Bedding/towels/toss cushions/ bed pillows

*    Old blankets/sheets/towels/mats/rags (take to local animal shelter)

Box:

Household items-Kitchen stuff /knick-knacks

Pictures/lamps/office supplies/gift wrap/bags/ribbon

Books/CDs/DVDs/records/electronics/phones/toys/games

Box:

Food Bank (necessities)  (drop off at your local food bank)

Toiletries for personal hygiene/toothbrushes/paste

Hair products (travel size/full size, sample packs)

Baby food/diapers/wipes/toilet paper/tissues/cleaning supplies