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It鈥檚 a win that will help take them to the next level, Sheila Allen says.
Last month, the Howe Sound Women鈥檚 Centre Society took home $20,000 worth of consultant time to streamline processes at the centre鈥檚 non-profit second-hand store, Pearl鈥檚 Value and Vintage. The organization was up against a pet treat bakery and commercial cleaning enterprise in this year鈥檚 Social Enterprise Heroes contest.听
The three faced off in front of a live audience, panel of judges and television at the Day of Learning on April 16, a networking event in the Lower Mainland that celebrates organizations whose work contributes to healthy, sustainable communities.听
It鈥檚 a big win, the executive director of the women鈥檚 centre said. The consulting services will enable the society to implement new receiving, sorting and merchandising processes of the donated goods received at the Pearl鈥檚 Value and Vintage thrift store.听
鈥淲ith these improvements, we will continue to offer quality, gently used goods and excellent customer service, but at an optimal level,鈥� Allen said. 鈥淭his is really important for us given the proceeds from the store go back to our programs to help women and children in our community.鈥澨�
The non-profit thrift store opened in 2010. Since then its annual profits have climbed from $20,000 in its first year to $90,000 this fiscal year, Allen said. The store鈥檚 customer numbers are also up, having jumped more than 10,000 shoppers from 2012 to 鈥�13.听
Money from the store helps pay for drop-in programs in Whistler and Squamish, Allen told The Chief. Last year, the programs saw 5,995 visitors 鈥� 5,000 in 麻豆社国产and 995 in Whistler. The organization aims to extend hours into Saturday, Allen noted. The presentations were filmed and will air on Telus鈥� Optik TV community channel in late May.听
