The former Barbeques Galore shop was teeming with thrifters.
While the scene looked similar, it wasn’t a Boxing Day sale that had shoppers queuing along Corio St as they waited for the doors of a pop-up shop to open in Shepparton last month.
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It was the return of the Soroptimist International Shepparton branch’s garage sale.
Despite raising a huge $50,000 from two garage sales last year, the charity group had decided against hosting another this year, but eventually caved to public demand and went ahead with a downscaled version of the much anticipated thrifters’ event.
The move paid off with almost $30,000 raised across the 10-day sale in the former Shepparton Barbeques Galore building to September 13.
“The girls were so overwhelmed at the amount of products donated, even without accepting big items of furniture this year,” Shepparton Soroptimist Jill Pinner said.
“The work of the Soroptimist club is only possible because of the support we receive from individuals, organisations and volunteers throughout our region.
“Every ticket purchased, raffle ticket sold, donation made and hour volunteered contributes directly to helping women in need.”
Shoppers lined up on Corio St before the doors opened, waiting to score a bargain.
With the community’s support, the branch has been able to donate to many local causes over the past year, including Shepparton Foodshare, South Shepparton Community Centre, Marian House, the Caroline Chisholm Society for GV Pregnancy and Family Support Service, Goulburn Valley Health and Mooroopna Haven.
It has also this year donated 70 backpacks filled with essential items to women experiencing homelessness, along with supporting several young apprentices and young women in their educational pursuits.
During the garage sale, members met people experiencing homelessness, people who have lost their homes and possessions in fires and others experiencing hardships out of their control.
“We listened to their stories and when we recognised their need, we invited them to take whatever they needed to help them rebuild their lives,” Ms Pinner said.
“We saw people moved to tears when they realised someone cared enough to help without expecting anything in return.
“Those experiences remind us why Soroptimists do what we do.”
The Soroptimist International Shepparton branch needed many hands to make light work of the big sale.
Ms Pinner said the group’s work extended beyond raising funds; that it was about building strong community connections by showing kindness and generosity.
“Which abounds in the people in our community,” she said.
Leftover items were donated to opportunity shops in Shepparton and Mooroopna and to a friend of the group who arranges material aid for refugee Ugandan families.
Public demand for the return of the event was no illusion; people turned out in droves.
The Shepparton Soroptimist branch has already decided it will host another garage sale next year and is urging locals to start putting aside their unwanted, clean and saleable items now.
If unable to store items until May, when the official pick-up period begins, phone Deb on 0417 002 224 or Jill on 0448 718 177 for early collection.
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