In the seven years that David Potter has managed Mission Thrift Store Barrie, he has often been asked the question— where does the money go?
The answer is the same for all Mission Thrift Stores; 100% of proceeds from the stores go to Bible League Canada. But what many people don’t know is the compassionate work that Bible League does around the world. The charity has partners in over 300 countries, with a focus on literacy training, children’s programs, community projects, and training ministers.
In Canada specifically, there are initiatives like children’s camps, university campus churches, and prison ministries. The prison ministries are meant to support individuals who are incarcerated and help prepare them for returning to life outside of prison. “People make mistakes, and it’s good to have people who can help them get on the right foot when they get back out. Locally we can help with that, by giving them community hours,” says David.
David is one of a small handful of paid staff who support the work of Mission Thrift Store, with David as the Barrie location’s store manager. He’s also a local part-time minister at Ferris Lane Community Church. Mission Thrift Stores are nearly 100% volunteer-run, with 130 volunteers supporting the Barrie store alone. In Canada as a whole, there are about 5,700 volunteers.
“It gives people a chance to contribute to something that’s bigger than them,” says David.
The stores sell what you would hope to see in a thrift store; clothing and footwear, linens and housewares, books, records, small appliances, and even furniture. Because of the reasonable prices and variety of merchandise, Mission Thrift Store Barrie has gained many regular customers, some of whom are waiting at the door when the store opens in the morning. David knows the regulars and enjoys seeing familiar faces on any given day.
Most customers know that the store is raising funds, but they don’t know the details of Bible League Canada’s programs. David and the other volunteers love to tell customers and donors a little more about what the charity is specifically doing. “People like to come here. They feel that they’re contributing to something. They’re getting a good deal and helping with something that’s important,” says David.
The store just recently expanded their hours. For 17 years they always closed at 5PM Monday—Friday and 4PM on Saturdays. This has now been expanded to 10AM-8PM from Monday—Friday, and 10AM-5PM on Saturdays. They’ve also expanded their Donation Centre hours to match the store hours, with the only exception being that the Donation Centre is closed on Mondays.
Mission Thrift Store Barrie accepts donations of most items in good repair, including household items, dishes, footwear, clothing, pet items, records, books, and medical items like walkers and wheelchairs. “We can really bless somebody who can’t afford to go out to a mobility shop and buy something,” says David.
The layers of impact from shopping at Mission Thrift Store Barrie are both local and global, as well as environmental. Customers spending money at the store are supporting Bible League Canada’s work across the globe, while also helping to prevent waste by shopping used. The Barrie location alone has kept 1.2 metric tonnes of electronic waste out of the landfill, not to mention the immeasurable amount of household and textile waste that has been diverted. Nationally, Mission Thrift Stores have diverted over 16 million pounds of waste from landfills.
On the more local level, the Mission Thrift Stores in Central Ontario have sold 2.7 million used items in the past year and supported over 500 local organizations. Mission Thrift Store Barrie partners with non-profits like Busby Centre, providing much-needed clothing and supplies, and John Howard Society of Simcoe Muskoka, giving clients their community hours.
David reflects on the other benefits of volunteering, like providing people with a sense of community. Mission Thrift Store Barrie staff and volunteers pray for each other and support each other through life’s challenges. “We see volunteering as a cure for loneliness,” says David.
David refers to himself as a ‘merchant’ rather than a store manager. It reminds him of the shopkeeper from a bygone era, sweeping the sidewalk in front of a store and knowing everyone in the neighbourhood. He strives to create that community feeling at Mission Thrift Store.
“We really want people to feel welcomed, valued and loved.”
To learn more about Bible League of Canada, visit here.