Coonabarabran Op Shop continues funding to those in need

At its April meeting, the Coonabarabran ADRA (Adventist Development and Relief Agency) Op Shop committed funding of $21,000 to be distributed to community group organisations in the local district, and also some overseas projects. This included $2,000 to victims of Cyclone Idai in Africa and a school education project in Kenya.

“This funding was the result of six months hard work from the shop staff, who give freely of their time week by week,” says ADRA Op Shop manager Vicki Poyser.

With the drought in Australia showing no sign of relief, small businesses in towns like Coonabarabran are really feeling the pinch along with the farmers. With six shops shut in the last twelve months and the town on level 4 water restrictions, the funding raised by the Coonabarabran ADRA Op Shop is a welcome relief to groups who have been struggling.

“Generally there are some groups in town that we will support,” Vicki says. “The swimming group, the nursing home, the school. They need regular funding all the time.”

The Coonabarabran shop is setting an example of how beneficial an Op Shop can be for the community. Not only does it provide quality products at affordable prices to locals, but any profit from sales then gets funnelled back into the community.

“The ADRA Op Shop management gives its heartfelt gratitude to the volunteers whose work is so necessary for conducting a service of this kind to their local area and abroad,” says Vicki.

“A vote of thanks is also extended to the people of the community who support the shop with donations of clothing, books and variety items, and any winter items of linen and blankets are very welcome at this time of the year. And once again, I thank the shop volunteers for their continued support of ADRA in Coonabarabran.”

The ADRA Appeal is the largest source of funding for our programs in Australia. Please, help Australians overcome hardship by donating today and help support ADRA projects like the Op Shop in Coonabarabran.