Shopping bargain bonanza helps society feed homeless

Society of St. Vincent de Paul sells blasts from the past including chesterfields, chairs, clothes

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul thrift store located at 2743 Main St.
Alistair Burns / The B.C. Catholic.

Alistair Burns recently attended the annual Society of St. Vincent de Paul barbecue, and while there he learned about the lay organization's thrift story:

Where can you buy three romantic comedy DVDs for Mom, the volume of the letter "S" of the Encyclopedia Britannica for Dad, and a CD featuring your favourite '80s band, all for $10? Welcome to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SSVP) thrift stores, one of the best shopping bargains in the Lower Mainland.

"The money that we make from selling items at the thrift stores goes to help our other works," said Sheila Coutu, director of store operations. "Last year we gave out over 3,000 bags of food at the Main Street store, and we send a truck to Main and Hastings three times a week with sandwiches and coffee."

The SSVP thrift stores are located at 2743 Main St. (at 12th Ave.) and 1738 E. Hastings St. (near Commercial Dr.) Both locations are open Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Read the full story at The B.C. Catholic website.