Lutheran Care encourages supporters to declutter for a cause this spring

Lutheran Care is urging supporters to have a spring clean for a good cause this month, with the community services organisation and charity in need of good quality donations for its Op Shops.

Lutheran Care relies on generous donations to stock its six Op Shops across Adelaide and the Barossa, with the stores raising important funds for Lutheran Care’s Emergency Relief program.

The Emergency Relief program supports families and individuals experiencing crisis and disadvantage with critical food relief; bedding; clothing; assistance accessing healthcare; transport, supermarket and op shop vouchers; and links to ongoing supports such as homelessness services, financial counselling, family violence support and parenting programs.

Despite being one of the organisation’s most in demand programs for people in crisis, Emergency Relief receives little formal funding and relies heavily on donations and fundraising to be able to cater for the critical level of need in the community. 

Lutheran Care’s Blair Athol Store and Distribution Manager Elizabeth Penny is one of the friendly faces you’ll find working at Lutheran Care’s site on Prospect Road. She leads a hardworking and enthusiastic team of volunteers and engages with some of the community’s most vulnerable people every day, showing empathy and compassion to those in need when they enter the shop.

Elizabeth has been amazed by the generosity shown by people connected to Lutheran Church in her two years at Lutheran Care and encouraged members to continue to give what they can, with the need for support at an all time high due to the cost of living and housing crises.

“Quite frankly without the support from congregations, Blair Athol (Op Shop) would not survive,” Elizabeth said.

“Right now, we are looking for warm jumpers, cardigans, jackets, nighties, blankets and towels. We are very desperate for clean, new underwear and a lot of toiletries are in need as well.

“Good quality homeware items are important because we have a lot of domestic violence clients who don’t have anything, as they often need to start fresh and need items like pots, pans, glassware, cups and bowls.

“We also have people who are homeless who walk in here and say ‘I just need a bowl and a fork so I can eat my dinner’, so if you’ve got anything that is in good condition, you don’t need, or haven’t used for a long time, please consider donating to our shops.”

While Lutheran Care Op Shops at Blair Athol, Smithfield and the Precinct on Coventry are there for people who need to op shop, Elcies Op Shops at Norwood, Semaphore and Tanunda are specifically for people who want to op shop and are often driven by sustainability and reducing waste, with the popularity of thrifting rising amongst younger generations in recent years.

“Our Lutheran Care Op Shops team are seeing and talking with a lot of families that are struggling and we are here to service that need,” Elizabeth said.

“If you enjoy a thrift retail outing or are looking for something that’s more high value, our Elcies shops will have what you’re looking for, and the proceeds from all store sales goes towards our Emergency Relief program. So whether you’re donating or shopping, you are helping Lutheran Care in our mission of building strong, caring communities across South Australia.”

If you would like to make a donation to Lutheran Care, items can be taken to the Distribution Centre at 307 Prospect Road, Blair Athol.

Alternatively, donations can be brought into any of Lutheran Care’s Elcies stores: 

· 43-45 The Parade, Norwood

· 231 Military Road, Semaphore

· Shop 4/46 Murray Street, Tanunda.

For more information about Lutheran Care’s Op Shops, visit www.lutherancare.org.au/op-shops/