Thrift stores team up to highlight work as an ‘essential lifeline’

The Bissell Centre, Trust Find, and the Mustard Seed held a tour to help fund programs trying to end homelessness and poverty on Saturday.

Three thrift stores in the city have partnered to create a tour that aims to show customers just how far the sustainability effort really goes.

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In honour of National Thrift Shop Day on Sunday, Bissell Thrift Shop, Trust FIND and The Mustard Seed have created a Saturday event for a YEG venture that helps fund local programs to end homelessness and poverty while keeping usable goods out of landfills.

“There are shops that are taking the funds being raised and putting them back into programs,” communications specialist Chris Schieman for Bissell told CTV News on Saturday.

“They’re an essential lifeline to all that we do for our community.”

Schieman said people from all walks of life come through thrift stores on a regular basis, which makes them so popular and worth celebrating.

The collaboration of thrift stores was born out of wanting a “bigger bang” during National Thrift Shop Day.

Wendy Shea, a shopper at the event on Saturday, said both the cost of living and consumer-conscious spending are what drives her and her family out to thrift stores.

“We do a lot of back-to-school shopping at the thrift store,” she said. “We like to support because we know that they do help the community and help house the homeless, and that’s great. That’s where we want to put our money.”

The tour also includes a passport, where visiting the participating stores will enter participants into a draw to win prizes. Stamping even two of the three shops enters you to win a chocolate basket, restaurant or ice cream gift card.

While the event ends on Saturday, other thrift stores around town will also be celebrating the day on Sunday.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Brandon Lynch