The Delta Hospital Auxiliary Thrift Shop in Ladner Village is a great community source for finding gently used clothing, housewares and vintage treasures – all the while helping to support the local hospital.
But lately some in the community are treating it more as their personal dumping ground.
In recent weeks, someone dumped piles of constructing debris in the shop’s back garbage bins, while after-hours looters continue to pilfer through the front of the store bins leaving a horrible mess for volunteers the next morning.
Thrift shop coordinator Angie Smith said while the auxiliary appreciates all the support it receives from the community, she wishes people would use a bit of common sense when dropping off donations.
“We are trying to get the community to realize that we have no one here at the store after 6 p.m., so if they come and drop off items after that, it’s a free for all and can create a huge mess for our volunteers,” said Smith.
“People just take everything out of the bins and toss it around and I doubt we will ever stop this unless we get people to drop off items between our open hours. If there is nothing in the bins after hours, then this kind of thing won’t happen.”
Smith said any donations should be dropped off between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
The bins are locked and there are surveillance cameras, but the locks are busted off consistently.
As for the dumping of the construction debris, well, that’s a different story, said Smith.
“I posted in the Ladner’s Landing Facebook group and people who commented on the post were appalled,” she said. “It was nine bags of gyprock. It took one of our volunteers a half a day’s work pulling it all out, re-bagging it and taking it to the dump. I just want the community to be aware that all these things for us, because we are a charity, is not free. We pay dump fees the same as everyone else. Garbage and recycling, we don’t get any breaks and just to make people aware that the volunteers love what they are doing, but please respect the donation drop-off hours and don’t drop off your junk and garbage.
“If you want to support the hospital, you do this by dropping off items that are in good condition and that we can re-sell. Dropping off junk helps no one.”
