Salvation Army to use old store space
The home of a charity thrift store will be used to assist addicts.
Captain Dennis Maybury, regional public relations officer with The Salvation Army Bermuda, said the organisation’s Harbour Light programme will extend into a space now occupied by its thrift store on King Street.
The shop has operated from the charity-owned building since 1984 and is expected to close on March 31.
A spokesman said last week: “The sustainability of the thrift store has been a challenge, and the closure of the thrift store will allow for a greater focus on programmes and services experiencing increased demand due to ongoing economic challenges after the pandemic.”
The charity, which raised about $61,000 through its Christmas kettle campaign last year, feeds about 600 families every week, provides emergency housing and offers addiction support through Harbour Light.
Salvation Army commissioners Lee and Debbie Graves, territorial leaders for Bermuda and Canada, were on the island between February 28 and March 5 for their first official visit.
They talked to volunteers and recipients of the charity’s emergency shelter, food bank and transitional housing programmes.
Captain Dennis Maybury, regional public relations officer for The Salvation Army Bermuda, explained: “This visit reinforces the shared commitment to improving lives and fostering hope for all who are facing hardship and impossible choices.”
The residential programme has ten beds, but will be able to offer 14 once the thrift store closes.
The store stopped accepting donations last week and all remaining items will be given out in the community.
In-store items that are not sold by March 31 will also be given away.