Charlottetown 
Rising living costs in Canada have sparked an unexpected challenge for The Salvation Army Thrift Store.
The Salvation Army Thrift Store teams are rearranging store layouts and spacing out products, striving to make shelves look full. (CNW Group/The Salvation Army Thrift Store – National Recycling Operations)
With more Canadians seeking affordable alternatives at thrift shops, there’s been a worrying decline in donations of used goods. “For the first time, we face a donation shortfall at this season,” laments Ted Troughton, the store’s Managing Director.
As the cost-of-living rises, more Canadians are flocking to thrift stores seeking affordable alternatives. Simultaneously, donations of gently used clothing and household items have plummeted significantly.
A key factor behind this drop is the increasing trend of reselling pre-owned items for supplemental income. As per the 2023 PayPal’s Resale Renaissance Report, 50% of Canadians view resale as a lucrative addition to their main income source. Troughton emphasizes that while understanding these financial pressures, donating to the Thrift Stores can significantly benefit struggling neighbours.
The Salvation Army Thrift Store’s operations rely heavily on donations. These contributions offer affordable options for those facing economic constraints and fund vital Salvation Army initiatives, such as food banks, shelters, and addiction rehabilitation programs. The organization is making an urgent plea to the Canadian public and businesses for donations, particularly everyday household items.
Troughton appealed, “If every Canadian household contributes just two bags or boxes of unused items, it would immensely aid in restocking our stores and bolstering our community support services.”
The Salvation Army Thrift Store, a non-profit wing of The Salvation Army, operates 96 stores throughout Canada, diverting over 87 million pounds of textiles from landfills in 2022-23.
