By Parker McKenzie
Foothills Community Care has opened its new Op Shop in Ferntree Gully, with all proceeds going towards programs to support the vulnerable members of the local community.
The Mountain Gate Community OpShop, located at Mountain Gate Shopping Centre, is currently open on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 3pm and 10am to 2pm on Saturdays.
Foothills Community Care founder Stephen Barrington said the charity has taken over the running of a previously established op shop.
“They approached us about whether we wanted to take it over. It was really exciting because for the last couple of years, two or three years, we’ve been developing a bit of a business plan around opening an op shop,” he said.
“It sort of came out of the left-field at first, but it made a lot of sense and it’s working out really well.”
Foothills Community Care was established in 2002 to provide a space where people can connect and engage with each other, as they address challenges like family and domestic violence, homelessness, addiction, poverty, mental health issues and social isolation.
Mr Barrington said all the proceeds will go towards supporting the local community through programs run by the charity.
“All the proceeds from it will go into our meals programs and our domestic violence, peer support programs and supporting people in the immediate community,” he said.
“That’s what I love about it. People shop locally and all the profits are going back locally to support other people. It’s a real win-win.”
Foothills Community Care has served over 42,000 fresh meals, delivered over 15,000 food parcels and worked with over 250 volunteers in the past 12 months.
Mr Barrington said it was an exciting time for the charity to have a shop in the local community.
“We’re always asked for volunteers to join our team there and people volunteer for a whole range of reasons,” he said.
“It’s a great way to give back to the local community, it’s a great way to meet people, it’s a great way to build up some skills, and it’s a great way to contribute and to help a bigger cause.”
The Op Shop is currently unable to accept furniture donations but is seeking donations of good quality clothing, bric-a-brac items and shoes among other things.
An official launch will occur in around six weeks according to Mr Barrington.
Mountain Gate Shopping Centre is located at 1880 State Route 22, Ferntree Gully. To find out more about Foothills Community Care, visit www.foothillscare.org.au
