Two local charity op shops share their do's and don'ts when it comes to donating items at their stores.

SPCA Op Shop manager Jill McDavitt and Centrepoint Op Shop deputy manager Jose Mellelieu are always thankful when they receive donations from the community. As charity op shops, the stores put funds raised back into local community causes - such as Tauranga Moana Nightshelter, Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind, the SPCA and more.

'We are open to any items that can wear a price tag to raise funds for the animals,” says Jill.

However, some items are more in need of than others…

Bigger isn't always better

Although we may be familiar with the big warehouse-style op shops, some local stores are tight for room.

'The Tauranga shop is not very big so managing our space is important,” says Jill. This is why local op shops call for 'small furniture items” as opposed to large items that take up stores' limited retail areas. 'We haven't got the room for beds or large stuff like that,” says Jose.

'Small furniture or things like that would be really good [to donate] –that's what we've been a little bit short of at the moment,” says Jose. 'Anything that's isn't too bulky we're very grateful for –furniture sells very well.”

Practical particulars

Among homeware, kitchenware, tools, antiques and musical instruments, clothing is always a necessity that local op shops need.

'Good quality clothing, that always goes well …if it's in good saleable quality, clean and no holes or things like that,” says Jose.

However, Jill warns against an excess of children's clothing items in particular. 'Children's clothing and toys are less desirable here, as they tend to take up a lot of space compared to their sale price.”

Books of various genres are always welcome too, but with the rise of the internet, not all books are required. 'Reference type books [such as encyclopaedias] are not saleable anymore as information is Googled nowadays,” says Jill. 'They can also weigh heavy in our rubbish bins.”

And of course, these op shops are always on the lookout for volunteers to donate their time and help at stores.

'It's a lot of fun working here – sometimes you hear these roars of laughter coming from the work room,” says Jose.

Get in touch with the stores if you are keen to volunteer Email: centrepoint@outlook.co.nz and: taurangasouth.opshop@spca.nz