TORONTO, March 2, 2020 /CNW/ – The Salvation Army Thrift Store invites Canadians to declutter with purpose this March during their national donations campaign called “Your Donations Matter: There’s Power in Giving.” The Spring campaign aims to motivate the public to donate clothing and household items to The Salvation Army Thrift Store, where there are real societal and environmental benefits to giving. As part of a national charitable organization, The Salvation Army Thrift Store relies on donations to their Donor Welcome Centres at stores across the country.

“This campaign speaks to the power of giving,” says Ted Troughton, Managing Director of The Salvation Thrift Store, National Recycling Operations. “It’s the support of generous people and businesses who enable us to help others, and we are calling on them to spring into action this March. Your donations really do matter in providing care for our many diverse communities across Canada.”

Spring into action by giving donations the power to help build stronger communities. The Salvation Army Thrift Store contributes to Salvation Army programs and services such as food banks for hunger relief, school programs and camps, shelters for people experiencing homelessness, and emergency relief efforts. Last year alone assistance was provided to over 1.6 million Canadians in over 400 communities that may not otherwise have been reached.

Donations also support The Salvation Army Thrift Store’s voucher program, which enables individuals and families in need to shop for necessities free of charge at their local store with vouchers given by The Salvation Army’s Social Services. 48,699 vouchers valued at over $6.2 million were redeemed at The Salvation Army Thrift Store last year.

“Bringing us your donations results in tangible community benefits that make it easy to feel good about giving,” says Michele Walker, Director of Retail Operations for The Salvation Army Thrift Store. “Our voucher program offers dignity to those who need a helping hand and allows us to care for our neighbours. Donations of clothing and household items from the public make this work possible.”

Donating items that are no longer wanted also benefits environmental sustainability through recycling and reuse. As one of Canada’s original and largest recyclers, The Salvation Army Thrift Store has provided a unique way to serve through retail and recycling for over 100 years. Last year, 37,404 metric tons (82.4 million pounds) of clothing, textiles, household items, and furniture were diverted from local landfills through The Salvation Army Thrift Store.

The dedicated donations campaign runs from March 2 to March 31, and seeks to intensify the public’s interest, commitment, and motivation to act on bringing donations to their local Salvation Army Thrift Store. Donations are accepted daily at stores, Distribution Recycling Centres, and Community Recycling Centres across the country to make donating easy and convenient. 

About The Salvation Army Thrift Store

The Salvation Army Thrift Store (National Recycling Operations) supports the mission of The Salvation Army in Canada for its communities and social programs by generating funds and making a positive influence. As part of a national charitable organization, The Salvation Army Thrift Store operates 107 stores across Canada and relies upon the generous donations of guests to help support those in need.

For further information: May Strutt, National Communications and Engagement Specialist, The Salvation Army Thrift Store, Email: media@tstores.ca, Office: 905.825.9208 ext. 200

City Councillor Peter McQueen to join Salvation Army Representatives for Ribbon-Cutting

NDG, Montreal, January 30, 2020: The Salvation Army Thrift Store is celebrating a Grand Opening in NDG on Thursday, January 30, 2020, after relocating to 6112 Sherbrooke St. West. The new NDG Thrift Store will continue to offer savings on gently used clothing and household items, as well as a Donor Welcome Centre to accept donations seven days a week. The relocation follows the lease expiration of the former NDG Thrift Store at 5758-62 Sherbrooke St. West, which closed its doors in early January.

“We are very pleased to be opening a new Salvation Army Thrift Store just down the street from our former location so that we can continue to serve the valued NDG community,” says Michele Walker, Director of Retail Operations at The Salvation Army Thrift Store. “We have been in this community for almost 20 years, and are so excited to continue making a positive impact in Montreal.”

The new location will be opened by city councillor Peter McQueen and local Salvation Army representatives. The Grand Opening celebration will feature complimentary refreshments and giveaways for the first 200 guests.

“Shopping and donating with us means you are giving to a good cause that assists thousands locally while supporting a greener community,” says Walker. “Last year, over 1,300 vouchers were redeemed in Montreal at a value of just under $200,000 for those in need to shop free of charge at The Salvation Army Thrift Store.”

With six locations in the city, The Salvation Army Thrift Store has played a vital role in the community over the years and provides funds to support neighbours in need through Salvation Army programs, services, and emergency relief efforts.

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About The Salvation Army Thrift Store

The Salvation Army Thrift Store (National Recycling Operations) operates over 100 stores across Canada. NRO’s role, within the context of The Salvation Army, is both to generate funds to help The Salvation Army achieve its mission, and to influence positively the communities in which we operate. As part of a national charitable organisation, The Salvation Army Thrift Store relies upon the generous donations of Guests to help support those in need.

Contact:
May Strutt, National Communications and Engagement Specialist
The Salvation Army Thrift Store
Email: may_strutt@can.salvationarmy.org
Office: 905-825-9208 ext. 119 Cell: 289-981-9978

Clothing and textiles left at dry cleaners across Canada will be put to good use through a partnership between The Salvation Army Thrift Store and the Canadian Fabricare Association (CFA).

Launching this month at over eighty participating dry cleaners nationally, registered with the CFA, the partnership will make the most of forgotten clothing and textiles to support neighbours in need. “Donations are the lifeblood of what we do and we are always in need of clothing items to support individuals, families and children,” says Tonny Colyn, National Donations Manager at The Salvation Army Thrift Store. “CFA is a great example of how easy it is to make a difference through giving back.”

Effective February 1st when a dry cleaning customer fails to respond to reminders about picking up leftover clothing or textile after more than 1 year, the item will be put aside to be donated to The Salvation Army Thrift Store. CFA members will also accept clothing and household items given by customers wanting to donate to The Salvation Army. They will then clean these items at no cost to the customer or The Salvation Army Thrift Store, making the decision to give clothing and textiles a second chance at life with The Salvation Army Thrift Store an easy one. 

“We want to show our customers and our community that we care about those who are less fortunate and want to help in the best way we can by giving their garments to a worthy cause through The Salvation Army Thrift Store,” says Sidney Chelsky, Executive Director, Canadian Fabricare Association.

With over 100 retail locations across Canada, funds raised through The Salvation Army Thrift Store support Salvation Army programs, services and emergency relief efforts that provide assistance to over 1.7 million Canadians nationally.  

TORONTO, Nov. 7, 2019 /CNW/ – PUDO Inc. (“PUDO” or the “Company”) (CSE:  PDO; OCTQB: PDPTF), North America’s only carrier-neutral parcel pick-up and drop-off network (the “Network”), is thrilled to announce a unique initiative with The Salvation Army Thrift Store, National Recycling Operations (“NRO”) and Give Back Box (“GBB”), aimed at increasing the quality and quantity of merchandise donated for re-sale, while simultaneously decreasing the volume of e-commerce packaging and goods destined for landfills.

It would make sense that annual double-digit increases in e-commerce spending nationally, would correlate directly with an increase in donations to charity, however that isn’t necessarily the case.  The very same social and economic trends that fuel e-commerce appear to be contributing to decreased consumer participation in community-based give-back and service-based programs.  

“The lightning speed and convenience at which consumers can acquire new merchandise, by its very nature encourages quick and easy disposal of ill-fitting and unwanted merchandise and packaging in landfills,” says PUDO CEO Kurtis Arnold.

“In the US, more than four billion pounds of new clothing end up in landfills, according to forbes.com — a horrific statistic. If we use e-commerce market value comparables to estimate Canadian volume, we land somewhere in the neighborhood of 15 million pounds.”

Landfills are pressured further by tonnes and tonnes of cardboard that aren’t making it to recycling. While retailers and grocers recycle almost all of their cardboard, industry sources indicate that only 40% of consumers recycle theirs.

“Given that approximately one billion trees annually service e-commerce packaging in North America, we must find ways to recover and re-route consumer-level e-commerce packaging and ensure that it ends up recycled,” adds Kurtis.

The reasons why new clothing and shoes end up in landfills are myriad, but chief among them is friction in the returns logistics process.  It isn’t always easy for consumers to return clothing and shoes for exchange or refund, and it definitely isn’t easy for retailers to return seasonal goods to the floor in time for full-margin re-sale, so inevitably merchandise often ends up in landfills as a cost of doing business.

Resolving this issue at all levels of the supply chain is complicated, but PUDO, with its national Network of carrier-neutral PUDOpoint parcel pick-up and drop-off counters located near to where people live, work and play, is tackling the problem one step at a time, starting at the consumer level.

PUDO’s newly minted relationship with Give Back Box, is integral to supply chain disruption in Canada.  GBB and their national retail partner ALDO Shoes, encourage customers to use the very same boxes used to transport or ship new shoes and boots, to ‘return-ship donate’ gently used footwear and clothing to The Salvation Army Thrift Store quickly, conveniently, and at no cost to them.

The Salvation Army Thrift Store is part of The Salvation Army, one of the largest national charities in Canada that gives hope and support to over 1.6 million people.  Through the 107 Thrift Store locations across Canada (www.thriftstore.ca), savings are offered on gently used clothing, textiles, and household items while supporting Salvation Army programs, services, and emergency relief efforts. 

The process is simple, through online integration with PUDO technology.  A downloadable pre-paid shipping label and instructions are made available to consumers, who then fill their boxes with re-sellable clothing and shoes and drop off their boxes for consolidation and distribution through PUDO to The Salvation Army Thrift Store.

The program has only just begun, but already there seems to be a positive trend in the quality of donated merchandise, inspired perhaps by the element of mindfulness that goes into filling a single relatively small box with donated items.

The program relies upon the good intentions and giving of individuals and families in Canada.  “Donations of gently used clothing and household goods are at the heart of what we need and required for what we do to support individuals and communities, and we have been receiving wonderful boxes of donations,” says Tonny Colyn, National Donations Manager at The Salvation Army Thrift Store.  

The Salvation Army Thrift Store is an environmental steward that recycles and redirects for use mass amounts of clothing and textiles, household goods and other items from Canadian landfills. Last fiscal year, it diverted over 82.4 million pounds which included 1.7 million pounds of cardboard packaging. “Being able to refresh, recycle and restyle donations is a foundational component to what we do in store and with our partners, and we are pleased to be working with PUDO and Give Back Box,” says Colyn. “This relationship and approach to giving, especially over the holiday season where so many people nowadays shop online, has great potential to help so many people that may be in need.”

According to Give Back Box founder Monika Wiela, participants in the return-ship donation program are uncommonly generous and appreciate the opportunity to donate easily and conveniently. “An unexpected trend has been the donation of new merchandise,” says Wiela. “The knowledge that ill-fitting or unsuitable clothing and shoes will go directly to charity seems to inspire consumers to donate rather than return, even if it means that they will not receive a refund.”

It is early days yet for this innovative four-way program, but the results are hopeful and seem to be disrupting more than one level in the supply chain — good news for the environment, and for community-based charities.

About PUDO

PUDO Inc. is developing North America’s only carrier-neutral parcel pick-up/drop-off technology and logistics Network, as a means of solving the last-mile parcel-traffic-control gridlock that is crippling the $550B e-commerce sector.   E-commerce is faced with unprecedented cost control issues, based on disproportionately high last-mile delivery costs relating to undeliverable parcels, and parcels returning for refund or exchange.  As labour and fuel costs increase in tandem with parcel traffic and volume, the problem worsens.

PUDO’s team of logistics and parcel traffic management experts have created a market intelligence and trends driven solution comprising carrier-neutral plug-and-play technology for desktop and mobile, plus a strategically located Network of parcel pick-up and drop-off PUDOpoints for pay-as-you-go use by all players within the e-commerce ecosystem.

Adopting PUDO technology shortens the last mile for the behemoths of e-commerce — fulfillment and distribution centers representing thousands of retailers and millions of consumers — by instantly extending their parcel staging and consolidation Network and providing secure ‘near end of the line’ storage for the 30% of e-commerce parcels that are undeliverable on first attempt. PUDO’s technology and Network virtually eliminate costs associated with second-attempt deliveries, un-attended parcel theft and spoilage, and mismanaged reverse logistics on returns, and provides carriers, retailers, and consumers with badly needed cost controls, choice, and convenience.

PUDO was founded in 2015 and was recently named one of the Top 20 most innovative public technology companies by the Canadian Innovation Exchange.  After two years of industry and market research, and successful beta testing the technology and PUDOpoint geography and protocols with major logistics stakeholders, PUDO is ready to activate its Network through strategic partnerships.  Activation will enable all stakeholders within the Network to access and control scalable, fluid, strategic consolidation in real time when and where needed, to lower costs and satisfy customer expectations.

For more information, please visit www.pudoinc.com or www.pudopoint.com.

Information in this press release that is not current or historical factual information may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of securities laws, such as statements regarding possible capital raising activity and possible future expansions of PUDO’s operations. This information is based on current expectations and assumptions of management, including assumptions concerning PUDO’s ability to raise additional capital.  The use of any of the words “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, “plan”, “intend”, “can”, “will”, “should”, and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Risks, uncertainties, and other factors involved with forward-looking information could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects, and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, without limitation, uncertainties with respect to service implementation, the economic results of the relationship on the operations of the Company, changes in general economic, market, or business conditions, and those risks set out in the Company’s public documents filed on SEDAR.  This press release, may contain future-oriented financial information or financial outlook within the meaning of applicable securities laws.  Such future-oriented financial information or financial outlook has been prepared for the purpose of providing information about management’s reasonable expectations as to the anticipated results of its proposed business activities. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes.

The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by law.

SOURCE PUDO Inc.

For further information: For additional information about PUDO, please contact: Karen Speight, at 1-506-694-1250, karen.speight@pudopoint.com.

Related Links

www.pudoinc.com

The Salvation Army Thrift Store is opening a new store with a special event day for guests and donors at 1225 Kennedy Road, Scarborough on October 2, 2019.  The giveaways and celebration starts at 9:00 a.m. and will run until evening close.

The store is reopening in a much larger and more easily accessible retail space, and remains in the same plaza where it has served the community for several years. “We are beyond thrilled with the new store and excited by what it offers the community through shopping and donating with us,” says Dian Edwards, Store Manager at the Scarborough Thrift Store.

All former store employees have been transferred to the new location along with additional staff being hired and volunteers on board to broaden the store’s service team.

The new store is multi-level and offers an abundance of treasure filled finds along with the practical and daily requirements of gently used clothing, household items, furniture, media, books and more for the whole family. It serves those who need some extra help through its voucher program where individuals can shop for what they need at no cost.  Others can get great value for their purchases while some will come just for the thrill of finding that treasured item.

The store relies on the generosity of the public to bring in donations of items they no longer need.  It has a dedicated Donor Welcome Centre and donations attendant at the back of the store with easy access for donors to make donation drop off convenient and is open seven days a week.

This is the Salvation Army Thrift Store’s second location in the Scarborough area.  It will also play a vital role in the community by providing support to community neighbours in need through The Salvation Army’s programs, services and emergency relief efforts.

“We are beyond grateful for those that have come together and made it possible for us to re-open our doors within this amazing and generous community and we fully recognize and thank all of the giving and care that so many people have brought to this endeavour,” says Walker.
 

The new location will be opened by local community and Salvation Army representatives, accompanied by a Salvation Army brass band, refreshments and giveaways for the first 100 guests. There is also going to be a live radio broadcast from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. on 105.9 The Region.

For a donations accepted list, store hours and to learn more about The Salvation Army Thrift Store visit www.thriftstore.ca

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About The Salvation Army Thrift Store

The Salvation Army Thrift Store (National Recycling Operations) supports the mission of The Salvation Army in Canada for its communities and social programs by generating funds and making a positive influence. As part of a National charitable organisation, The Salvation Army Thrift Store operates over 100 stores across Canada and relies upon the generous donations of guests to help support those in need. For a donations accepted list and to learn more about The Salvation Army Thrift Store visit www.thriftstore.ca
 

Contact:

Email: media@tstores.ca

Office: 905.825.9208 ext. 200

The Salvation Army Thrift Store sends sincere condolences to the family and friends impacted by the tragic deaths of community members in clothing bins in Toronto and West Vancouver.

The Salvation Army Thrift Store places the highest importance on the well-being and convenience of our generous communities who give to make a difference to children, families and adults in need. In an effort to educate and raise awareness around the improper use of donation bins, The Salvation Army Thrift Store, among other efforts, will be placing caution labels on existing bins as an advisory to the public.

“Donations are at the heart of what we do and we make every single item, no matter how big or small, count in our mission to support local communities,” says Ted Troughton, Managing Director of The Salvation Army Thrift Store. “We hope that these labels, and the discussions taking place in the public sphere and with our partners, help raise awareness around the proper use of donation bins.”

The Salvation Army Thrift Store has not had any tragic incidents occur with any donation bins they operate, states Troughton.

“Donation bins, while offering a convenient means to donate, are not our primary source of collecting donations. For over 100 years in Canada we’ve operated our Thrift Stores to support our shared communities,” he said. “Today we have over 100 locations with dedicated in store Donor Welcome Centres that are open seven days a week, which we encourage our communities to visit for a great donating experience,” he says.

When people shop and donate to The Salvation Army Thrift Store, the funds raised support local Salvation Army shelters, food programs and life skill training. Last year alone over $6 million of items were given for those in need to shop free of cost at The Salvation Army Thrift Store through its voucher program.

For individuals who are in need of support, please contact1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769) to learn more about Salvation Army services in your area. 

The Salvation Army Thrift Store has embarked on an environmentally conscious partnership with the City of Clarence-Rockland that will benefit neighbours in need.

The Thrift Store will be offering a new way to give for the Clarence-Rockland community members through three donation bins at the City’s local landfill site at 2335 Lalonde Road in Bourget. Traditionally, the closest Thrift Store location for donating is on Innes Road in Orleans, Ottawa.

Residents can start donating to The Salvation Army Thrift Store as early as this Friday at the City’s free 2017 Spring Clean-Up Event taking place on the first two weekends in May (5-6 & 12 -13) at the landfill site only. 

“The City of Clarence-Rockland is proud of its partnership with the Salvation Army Thrift Store. During the free weekends at the landfill site, I invite the population to give their still useful objects to the volunteers of this organization instead of throwing them in the landfill site. We are contributing to increasing the life span of our landfill site in addition to helping an organization in its mission of helping the less fortunate,” says Guy Desjardins, Mayor of the City of Clarence-Rockland. 

Every Friday and Saturday community members are welcome to drop off their gently used clothing, household goods and furniture which will stay out of the local landfill to benefit people in need through Salvation Army programs and services.

“We make it easy to give and giving your gently used items a second chance at life,” says Tonny Colyn, National Product Acquisition Manager at The Salvation Army Thrift Store. “Thank you to the City for giving us this opportunity to provide this donation service to this community. For thrifty shopping our Orleans store is a short drive away. ”

The Salvation Army Thrift Store Donor Welcome Centres accepts accessories, antiques and collectibles, books and media, eye glasses, furniture, gently used clothing, household items, shoes and toys.  

The Salvation Army Thrift Store values and needs donations of gently used clothing and household items.  The organization relies heavily on donations coming through their stores’ Donor Welcome Centres from individuals, families and businesses who give what they no longer use or want.

Simply put, donations are the lifeblood of everything The Salvation Army Thrift Store does. “It’s the generous people and businesses that support our stores who enable us to help others,” says Ted Troughton, Managing Director of The Salvation Thrift Store, National Recycling Operations. “Together, with all members of our shared communities, no matter who they are or what they’re able to give, we hand-in-hand make a difference.”

There are real societal and environmental benefits when a donation is made to a Salvation Army Thrift Store. Donations matter in supporting local Salvation Army programs and services such as food banks for hunger relief, school programs and camps, shelters for people experiencing homelessness, rehabilitation and addiction programs and emergency relief efforts serving the many diverse communities across Canada.  Assistance was provided to over 1.6 million Canadians last year alone that may not otherwise have been reached.

Through the 106 Salvation Army Thrift Stores, 48,699 vouchers valued at over $6.2 million were redeemed for clothing and household goods last year.  These vouchers issued by the Salvation Army’s Social Services are given to individuals and families in need.

Donating items as opposed to discarding them brings sustainable benefits for the environment. Through recycling and reuse, donations help divert unwanted items from local landfills. Last year through The Salvation Army Thrift Stores, 37,404 metric tons (82.4 million pounds) of clothing, textiles, household items and furniture were diverted from local landfills.

The start of September means the colder months are just around the corner.  To help bring current and new donors to its locations, The Salvation Army Thrift Store launches an eight week campaign on September 16^th, 2019 called “Your Donations Matter; There’s Power In Giving”.  The dedicated program seeks to intensify the public’s interest, commitment and motivate them to act on bringing donations to their local Salvation Army Thrift Store.

“This campaign speaks to why we should be top of mind for donations of clothing and household items. Your donations matter in providing care for our communities,” Troughton says. The organization has provided a unique way to serve through retail and recycling for over 100 years, and is proud to be one of Canada’s original and largest recyclers.

Donations are accepted 7 days a week to make donating simple. For Donor Welcome Centre locations and list of donations accepted items visit www.thriftstore.ca 

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About The Salvation Army Thrift Store

The Salvation Army Thrift Store (National Recycling Operations) supports the mission of The Salvation Army in Canada for its communities and social programs by generating funds and making a positive influence. As part of a National charitable organization, The Salvation Army Thrift Store operates 106 stores across Canada and relies upon the generous donations of guests to help support those in need. For a list of donations accepted and to learn more about The Salvation Army Thrift Store visit www.thriftstore.ca

Contact:

Email: media@tstores.ca

Office: 905.825.9208 ext. 200

The Salvation Army Thrift Store is creating a real buzz in Verdun with the opening of its newest location filled with fab finds.

The Thrift Store will be hosting the grand opening of their newest location this Wednesday, May 15th on 4025 Wellington Street, Verdun at 9 a.m. The smallest of seven locations in Montreal the Thrift Store is set to have a big impact in the community.

“Our Thrift Stores are making a difference daily in the communities we call home,” says Michele Walker, Director of Retail Operations at The Salvation Army Thrift Store. “We are so excited to be offering not only unique finds to add to your vintage collection, but to be supporting the young adults and families that have transformed Verdun in recent years.”

By shopping and donating at The Salvation Army Thrift Store you help support local Salvation Army programs, services and emergency relief efforts that assist thousands in Montreal annually. “Thrifting with us is more than the feeling you get when you find a special piece, it’s also that feeling of knowing you are helping a neighbour who may have fallen on hard times,” says Walker. 

The Thrift Store is also equipped with a Donor Welcome Centre open daily, for the community to donate items in gently used condition they may no longer need. In fiscal year 2018-2019 the Thrift Store diverted over 82 million pounds from local landfills nationally creating cleaner communities across Canada. 

“Thrifting with us is a win-win situation for the community, and we encourage everyone to visit us this Wednesday to shop and learn more about what we do. As a bonus, the first 100 guests get a special gift to show our appreciation,” Walker adds. 

Store hours are Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. The Donor Welcome Centre is open during store hours and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. This is the second new Salvation Army Thrift Store location opened in Montreal within the last year, with plans for further development coming soon.

Donations are accepted of: Accessories, Antiques and Collectibles, Clothing, Computers, Electronics, Furniture, Housewares, Media & Books, Seasonal, All Textiles and Toys.