OP SHOP
Corrimal Region Uniting Church Op Shop
What do we do? : The Op Shop is an enterprise that has been in existence for almost 30 years and has at its core, outreach into the local community. The means by which this outreach is achieved is by providing a facility through which goods can be donated and subsequently sold, thus providing a service to the local community. Currently, a major part of the Op Shop focus is to endeavour to address some of the issues that restricted resources, unemployment and underemployment are causing.
Where is the Op Shop ?: The Op Shop is situated at 165 Princes Highway Corrimal – just around the corner from the major CRUC building . It is quite close to Corrimal Plaza shopping centre and about one block north of the Stockland shopping complex. There is parking at the rear of the building in the CRUC car park – customer access is from the Princes Highway.
How is the OP Shop organised?: The Op Shop has a steering committee which is elected by Op Shop volunteers. This committee consists of a chairperson, a secretary, a treasurer and 4 members elected to help in the organisation of the shop. Volunteers are drawn from the local church community, other churches and the local community. The shop is staffed by volunteers who are rostered for work in 3 hour shifts. 10am – 1pm and 1pm -4pm Monday to Friday.
Contact Persons: Op Shop – 42845356
Wendy Hough – 42442706 Janice Gillett – 42845298 Ruth Hall – 42672187
Specific tasks at the OP Shop : Goods that have been donated are sorted initially – depending on the condition of the goods, they will be used in one of three ways – directly sold in the shop, sent on to assist mission work, used to provide rags for local businesses. All items are washed, repaired if necessary, then ironed or steamed before being put into the shop. Items are tagged, priced, colour coded so that stock can be monitored. This ensures good movement of items and with regular sales, stock is constantly on the move.
Who Benefits from the work of the Op Shop? : Pricing policy tries to ensure that goods are presented at a very reasonable price, so that people with limited resources, can find goods that they can afford. Proceeds from sale of goods are distributed several times during the year to help in the local area, either through Church outreach programs , mission or specific community projects/appeals. The volunteers also establish contacts with many people who are in need of extra support or help and through Christian outreach and pastoral care work, they make a difference in peoples’ lives
