General News
21 January, 2022
Vinnies calls for donations to pause amid volunteer crisis
REDUCED staff at Vinnies shops across Far North Queensland are struggling to keep up with the number of donations coming in as the organisation keeps suffering the effects of a COVID-19-induced shortage.
Store Manager of Vinnies Smithfield, Kristy Cook, said that the in-store donations covered so much space last week that customers could barely walk inside the store.
“We organised the pile this morning, but by Wednesday, it will cover the whole wall,” she said.
“Friday of last week, we had so many donations that people could barely walk in the store.”
Vinnies keeps feeling the impact of the increase in COVID-19 cases around the Far North as more and more shops are temporarily closing their doors due to volunteers contracting COVID or becoming close contacts.
Vinnies Executive Officer for Far North Queensland, David Monaghan, said although they are grateful for all the donations, Vinnies’ staff cannot manage the amount they are receiving.
“We are overwhelmed by the generous donations from the community, which is absolutely fantastic,” Mr Monaghan said.
“But at this point, it’s really difficult for us to be able to clear out those donations, and sort them, and get them to a good home because we’re losing volunteers left, right and centre.
“We had approximately a 20% decrease in our workforce over the last week or so across the state.”
Mr Monaghan asked the community to hold on to their donations for a couple of weeks to give time for the volunteer numbers to increase. “We are asking the people who are donating to hold off for just a little bit,” he said.
“We really want your donations, and we’re looking forward to receiving them, but we can’t sort through them right now, and we can’t pick up any donations because of the volunteer shortage.
“If people could hold off for two weeks, then we’ll start collecting, or they can bring them into the store. That would be extremely helpful,” Mr Monaghan said.
Mr Monaghan also gave some tips to people on how to donate and support Vinnies’ staff properly.
“If possible, try to bring the donations into the store and not leave them outside by the donation bins because there are all sorts of weather conditions that can affect them, and we can only pick it up every couple of days,” he said.
“We lose about 20-25% of the donations that are left outside, so if you can, bring them into the store.
“Also, if you wouldn’t give it to your friends, then you shouldn’t donate it.
“And finally, we are looking for volunteers all the time; it’s great fun, and you’ll be a part of our community,” Mr Monaghan said.
