Annual Impact Report
CARING FOR OUR COMMUNITIES AND THE PLANET WE SHARE
All items pictured in this report were thrifted from The Salvation Army Thrift Store.
A MESSAGE FROM OUR MANAGING DIRECTOR
Innovation has always been part of our story here at The Salvation Army Thrift Store, National Recycling Operations (NRO). General William Booth founded The Salvation Army in the 19th century as a response to social concerns and designed to meet the needs of all humans without discrimination.
In response to the need for jobs and affordable merchandise, and with a focus on preserving the land, Booth created the Household Salvage Brigade to collect and redistribute unwanted household items. Ever since,
NRO has carried the torch forward, committed to both environmental and social stewardship.
In this year’s report, you will read about the impact of your support through our ever-growing waste diversion efforts as one of Canada’s largest textile collectors and a leader in textile diversion in the charitable sector, our innovative community partnerships to further extend the lifecycle of usable goods, and our overall contributions to support The Salvation Army social service programs and Emergency Disaster Services.
We are excited to share this year’s Impact Report with our employees, guests, donors, and community partners to recognize and celebrate how our collective efforts are contributing to preserving our planet for future generations, caring for our neighbors, and building a sustainable future for all.
As an Employer Partner of the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI), this past fiscal year we continued to leverage our partnership by conducting internal surveys to gain a deeper understanding of how diverse our organization is and how our employees are feeling at work. The insights obtained from these surveys will be instrumental for our strategic plan to create a viable and long-term foundation that fosters a safe and inclusive place to work, shop, and donate. Also, as education is a critical component in building more inclusive teams, we shared tools, resources and ran webinars in partnership with Égale Canada and The Orange Shirt Society to educate our employees about the importance of Pride Month and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
I would like to extend my heartfelt thank you to our amazing employees, volunteers and Thrift Store family for their unwavering support and dedication to our mission this past year. Together, we are caring for our communities and the planet we share.
Ted Troughton, Managing Director
The Salvation Army Thrift Store, National Recycling Operations
WHO
WE
ARE
The Salvation Army Thrift Store National Recycling Operations (NRO) is part of one of the largest national charities in Canada that gives hope and support to over
2.7 MILLION PEOPLE
We are the only national division within The Salvation Army, as well as one of Canada’s largest textile collectors and a leader in textile
diversion in the charitable sector. Through our Thrift Stores we offer savings on gently used clothing, textiles, and household items while supporting Salvation Army programs, services, and emergency relief efforts.
19 Thrift Stores
116 Donor Welcome Centres
1,900+ Employees
4 Home Offices
11 Distribution & Recycling Centres
12.9M Guests & Donors
60+ Partnerships
MISSION
Our role, within the context of The Salvation Army, is both to generate funds to help The Salvation Army achieve its mission, and to have a positive influence in our communities.
VISION
By operating successful Thrift Stores and integrating with the mission and work of The Salvation Army as a whole, we exist as a functioning and thriving modern day model of William Booth’s “Household Salvage Brigade” through which the marginalized and excluded of society are refreshed and regenerated by meeting their practical needs.
OUR CORE VALUES
Hope
We give hope through the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Service
We reach out to support others without discrimination.
Dignity
We respect and value each other, recognizing everyone’s worth.
Stewardship
We responsibly manage the resources entrusted to us.
TOGETHER, WE CARE FOR OUR COMMUNITIES
“The Salvation Army will always have a special place in my heart.” – Abhinov
Donations are at the heart of our organization, and we are incredibly grateful for the generosity of the members of our shared communities who donate their gently used items to our Thrift Stores. Some of these individuals like Abhinav and Noah, two high school students with a passion for helping families and individuals in need, even go above and beyond to help our Thrift Store community.
Together, between December 26th, 2022, and January 8th, 2023, Abhinav and Noah collected clothing donations from families in a nearby community by canvassing door-to-door and braving rainy days and cold weather.
At the end of their charity event, they collected approximately 420 articles of winter clothing, which they donated to their local Thrift Store in Mississauga, Ontario.
“The Salvation Army is a multi-dimensional organization, that has widespread impact and donations that reach the right people,” says Abhinav.
Abhinav and Noah’s act of kindness and generous contribution to our Thrift Store is deeply appreciated, as we are always in need of donations. We truly hope that their story will inspire others to follow their lead, as together we can care for our communities and the planet we share.
OUR COMMITMENT TO EQUITY, DIVERSITY, JUSTICE, & INCLUSION
The Salvation Army Thrift Store is committed to creating a safe and welcoming environment where our shared communities — from our employees and volunteers to our guests and donors — feel a strong sense of belonging. As part of that journey, we are proud to be an official Employer Partner with the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI).
Our goal is to be a preferred place for all, regardless of ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or ability, and to be an ally for social change and representation within our shared communities across Canada.
As part of our commitment to embodying the values and actions of Equity, Diversity, Justice, and Inclusion (EDJI) in everything we do, we continued to leverage our partnership with the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI) this past year.
Together, we conducted internal surveys to gain a deeper understanding of how diverse our organization is and how our employees are feeling at work.
The insights obtained from these surveys will be instrumental in our efforts to create safe and inclusive environments for everyone, as we develop our EDJI
long-term strategy.
Also, as education is a critical component in building more inclusive teams, we shared tools, resources and ran webinars in partnership with Égale Canada and The Orange Shirt Society to educate our employees about the importance of Pride Month and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.