Habitat for Humanity Kamloops shutting down, leaving town
A charity organization in Kamloops is closing its doors and relocating to Salmon Arm at the end of the month.
Habitat for Humanity Kamloops is no longer able to continue operating since opening at the 800 Fortune Drive location less than six months ago.
“We know (the decision) won’t be popular but this is the best way to keep our mission to build homes going,” the charity said in a social media post that has since been removed.
According to the post, there is a collection of factors contributing to the closure of the store that include more people shopping online, fewer donations coming in, and the rising costs of building supplies.
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With outlets throughout the country, Habitat for Humanity relies on contributions of service, supplies, equipment and cash donations from local businesses in the construction community and other businesses and individuals to build new homes for deserving families.
“Our donations are down as furniture retailers now take people’s old furniture to knock off of the price of the new set so it doesn’t come to the Restore,” the media post said. “The same with appliances, you can’t sell what you don’t have unfortunately.
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“It's the same with building supplies, due to the rising costs of those supplies instead of donating the leftovers, they take them to the next build.”
A volunteer worker confirmed the closure.
A large sign at the entrance announces a fifty per cent off clearance sale.
“Things could be moved out and the place closed earlier than the end of the month,” the volunteer said. “Some things are just not going to sell. They are moving moving into the location in Salmon Arm."
The side doors were wide open and many hands were on deck using dollies to transport the bigger pieces of furniture to an outdoor location. Some sections of the store had bare shelves and bare floors, but there is still a lot of small items, tools and pieces of furniture left to move.
Operation manager at the store John Stokes said he is not allowed to comment on the closure and move.
Executive Vice President of the society, Shelley Ne Ville, did not respond for comment in time for publication.
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