SOS Thrift Shop - Parksville, BC SOS Thrift Shop - Parksville, BC

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, SOS is only able to offer essential services. We are fundraising to begin to restart other priority programs, including Child, Youth and Family programs. Current programs include: Meals on Wheels, Emergency Assistance & Advocacy, Seniors Advocacy, Counselling Referral, Seniors Grocery Shopping and Friendly Phone Visiting (through Oceanside Better at Home and BC211), Homeless Prevention Program,  Income Tax program, and Recreation Assistance for Children and Youth. 

SOS Thrift Shop is open as of June 15, 2020 with limited hours and new procedures to keep you safe. Please visit the Thrift Shop page for more information.

The SOS Community Services Centre in Parksville is open Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm. The Qualicum Commons location remains closed. If possible, please call before coming to the Parksville Centre. 

Volunteer activities are suspended with the exception of a few areas, and we are not able to recruit, screen or take on new volunteers at this time. For more information or for assistance, call 250-248-2093.

Monetary donations are critical at this time to keep our services available. If you are able, please consider donating. We wish you good health and hope to reconnect again soon.

SOS Thrift Shop

SOS Thrift Shop

The SOS Thrift Shop is an excellent place for the bargain hunter in all of us! All merchandise is donated from the community, and all of the net revenue generated from the Thrift Shop sales goes directly to SOS programs, initiatives and outreach.

Please note, as of June 15, 2020, SOS Thrift Shop has reopened with limited hours and procedures due to the COVID-19 crisis.

Thank you for your continued support and patience as we continue to work through the challenges that have come with the pandemic.

Your support is truly appreciated at this time and is helping us provide essential services to our residents. Thank you for helping us keep valuable items out of our landfill, for promoting ethical, sustainable shopping, and for supporting SOS as a local charity dedicated to improving our community.

The health and safety of you and our staff is a top priority to us, so you will notice some changes. Here’s what you can expect on your visit to the Thrift Shop:

Hours

Monday - Saturday, 9:30 am - 3:30 pm.  These reduced business hours will help us restock the store and maintain enhanced cleaning requirements with just our staff on the premises.

Enhanced cleaning procedures:

We will be cleaning high-touch areas frequently.

In order to limit the spread of viruses, we have added hand sanitizer stations and our staff team will be wearing facemasks.

Important details about shopping:

  • Do not enter, if you are sick.
  • Wear a mask, if you have one.
  • Please use the hand sanitizing stations at the entrance and exit doors.
  • Once inside, please follow directional signs.
  • Please stay 6 feet away from other shoppers, and staff, at all times.
  • All incoming donations have been isolated prior to being put on the sales floor; however, we recommend that you wash and/or sanitize your purchases.
  • Please avoid touching merchandise unless you intend to purchase the item.
  • Change rooms and washrooms are closed for your safety.
  • Tap debit and credit transactions are preferred; please avoid using cash.
  • New shopping bags will be provided.  Sorry, we will not be handling or using reusable bags.
  • We are limiting the number of shoppers for your safety. Please limit your visit to 20 minutes so that other customers have the opportunity to shop. Please help us ensure everyone gets a chance to come in and find some treasures.
  • Sorry, there are no deliveries available.

Important details about Thrift Shop donations:

  • If possible, please hold off on dropping donations as we are anticipating an influx of donations that will overwhelm our capacity to process them.
  • Drop off your donations during opening hours, 9:30 - 3:30, Monday - Saturday.
  • Sorry, no furniture or large appliances will be accepted for donation at this time due to our limited capacity to store isolated donations.
  • Please ensure your items are clean and in working order.
  • Please maintain a distance of 6 feet from SOS employees.
  • Sorry there are no pick-ups available.

Thank you again for your patience as we do our best to operate in this new normal. 

SOS could not continue providing community support without valued supporters like you. Thank you for helping us ensure that everyone has a safe, enjoyable shopping experience at the best Thrift Shop on the Island.

The SOS Thrift Shop has over 18,000 square feet of:

  • Clothing
  • Linens
  • Shoes
  • Accessories
  • Jewellery
  • Furniture
  • Appliances
  • Household items
  • Books
  • Toys

Collectables and art are also available. The Boutique department offers fashionable clothing at affordable prices. Gift certificates are available.

Donations are gratefully accepted at 188 West Hirst Avenue, Parksville (at the back of the building) Monday - Saturday, 9:30 am - 3:30 pm. 

The Thrift Shop is open Monday through Saturday, 9:30 am - 3:30 pm. Closed Sundays and holidays.

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  • TS-Shoes
  • TS-books
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  • TS-knick-knacks
  • TS-linen
  • TS-purses
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SOS Thrift Shop

18,000 square feet of deals.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you carry...?

At one time or another, we carry just about everything you could possibly imagine. Our 18,000 square foot Thrift Shop has furniture, appliances, clothing, jewellery, toys, books, sporting goods, housewares, electronics and, the list goes on.

Our merchandise changes from hour to hour, so be sure to visit our store frequently for the latest finds.

Do you do estates?

We can accept donations from an estate, but we do not provide service for managing estate clearances.

Do you have books?

We have a very large book department which contains thousands of books and magazines. New titles arrive daily.

If I have an item that is in good condition, will the Thrift Shop take it?

SOS takes most saleable items, however if there is an item that we know from experience won’t sell on the floor, or we have an over abundance of that item, we may decline it.

Is it true that 95 cents of every dollar goes back into the community?

Yes, amazingly, 95 cents of every dollar spent in the SOS Thrift Shop is invested back into our community. Our friendly and hardworking volunteers help us to achieve this.

What hours are you open?

We are open 6 days per week, Monday through Saturday 9:30 am-3:30 pm.

What if I think an item is overpriced?

SOS Thrift Shop prices are set based on experience and research into brands and pricing. The prices are non-negotiable, and the money raised from purchases are used to fund community programs and services that residents rely on. We are happy to offer merchandise for all budgets, from a $2 shirt to a $400+ piece of furniture. If you are in financial need, you can call our Emergency Assistance and Advocacy Coordinator at 250.248-2093 ext. 241 to make an appointment to discuss your needs, and we may be able to assist  you. We encourage residents to shop local, recycle, reuse, and support our community, but we understand if you feel you can get a better deal elsewhere.

 

What type of donations DO you accept?

We accept the following saleable donations:

  • Clothing, shoes, purses
  • Housewares, furniture * Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, we are unable to accept furniture and large appliances until further notice.
  • Small electrical appliances
  • Electronics
  • Jewellery
  • Books
  • Towels, linens, curtains, fabrics, pillows
  • Sports equipment, toys, board games

What type of donations DON'T you accept?

Unfortunately, we are unable to accept the following items for donation:

*Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are unable to accept furntiure or large appliances. 

  • Soiled/torn clothing or linens
  • Soiled/torn mattresses/furniture
  • Items that are broken or do not work
  • Outdated electronics such as tube televisions
  • Paint and building supplies
  • Fluorescent tubes/fluorescent light fixtures
  • Mirrors without a frame
  • Child cribs with drop-down sides

*We also may have to decline items if we have an abundance of them in stock, 
or experience has shown they will not sell, despite their good condition.

Where are all the clothes?

UPSTAIRS! We have 7500 square feet of floor space dedicated to clothing, shoes, hats and purses. Our book department and linens are also upstairs.

Will you pick up furniture?

Normally, we pick up items in good condition. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are not able to pick up items. We also cannot accept furniture and large appliances for the time being.

 

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Positive Reviews:

  • Thank you for arranging a drive for my medical appointment... I really appreciate your cheerfulness...

    ~ a safely transported client

  • Not since the banquets of Nero... has such a meal been served on golden plates!

    ~ a delighted diner

  • The program was most helpful, empowering, and valuable.

    ~ a self-help participant

  • I have become more dignified and stable.

    ~ a community member enriched

  • This is the best day of my whole life.

    ~ a child's first picnic

  • Besides the hardship assistance, subsidized children's programming and vouchers... you have given us the greatest gift... respect, compassion, and dignity.

    ~ a family helped

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