Hospice Cottage Charity Shoppe in Tsawwassen is very fortunate to have such high quality donations, but has had to take measures to secure the back of the property because of excessive dumping of unsalable items.
This past weekend, a sixfoot high chain link fence was installed to secure the drop off area. While signage has instructed donors to only donate when the store is open, many people drop goods off in the evening and early morning because it may be more convenient for them. However, a few people have ruined it for the other generous donors.
We have had no end of broken furniture, beds, mattresses, TVs, rusty barbecues and large furniture dropped off after hours, even though the signage says the shoppe cannot sell these items.
When items have been turned away, people often say, "Well, where will I take this then?" The problem is worse at month end - people are moving and conveniently leave us unsalable goods.
The Corporation of Delta provides each household a free coupon for taking a mattress to the landfill at no cost, yet people dump them off at the shoppe so they do not have to make a trip to the dump.
The shoppe is run by many volunteers, primarily seniors, who can't/shouldn't lift or move large furniture. While small tables and chairs in excellent condition can be managed, there is no space for furniture in the store so most of it ends up outside and only gets ruined in the poor weather.
The Delta Hospice Society is working with the Corporation of Delta because if people drop goods off when the gates are closed, the goods will actually be on the road, which is municipal property. Delta will be installing signage on the fence and cameras will be installed. They will be called to remove the items on the road and with the help of cameras, people will be fined by the Corporation of Delta.
These seem like desperate measures but the society can no longer manage being the convenient dumping place for people's unwanted goods. Disposal is very costly and our current way of disposing of dumped items is not sustainable.
Volunteers get very discouraged as much of their hard work goes towards disposal costs. People who donate so carefully and thoughtfully are also being affected as the convenience for them has been taken away.
We apologize to all those who bring their goods to the shoppe knowing they are helping to support the services of the Delta Hospice Society. You are very important to us and we are forever grateful for your support and help. Thank you for your ongoing patronage and we will continue strive to try to provide a clean, interesting and quality store for the community to enjoy.
Nancy Macey
Executive Director Delta Hospice Society
