Opshops facing shortfall in winter clothing

Presbyterian Support Otago retail manager Chrissy Anderson inspects some of the small collection of winter clothing at the PSOtago warehouse on Tuesday. All three of PSOtago's opshops are short on winter clothing and are asking for donations. Photo by Tim Miller

With the warm weather slowly fading, Presbyterian Support Otago wants people to think about winter and any warm clothing that might be lying around.

All three of PSOtago's opshops are very low on winter clothing, and need donations of all types and sizes to make sure they are ready for winter. Shop on Carroll retail manager Chrissy Anderson said there were always a smaller amount of winter clothing donated compared with summer, but for some reason this year all three shops were very low.

''We can never quite tell if we are going to have enough but this year there is clearly a gap in our winter clothing.''

With more and more people using opshops, both for economic and fashion reasons, finding enough clothing so close to winter could be difficult, she said.

Mrs Anderson said because PSOtago had three shops it had ''three bites at the cherry'', meaning it could offer clothing at different prices.

''Some people do come in and tell us our prices are too high for a charity, but we aren't the charity we are actually a funding vehicle for a charity.''

If people were in need, the PSOtago's other services could provide them with clothing and other items, Mrs Anderson said.

''More people can be helped by the profits we make,'' she said.

If people had winter clothing they wanted to give, they can take it to PSOtago clothing warehouse behind The Shop on Carroll, at 10 Carroll St or call (03) 471-8249.