The Community Thrift Shop

A Thrifty Centretown Ministry

The Shop, located at 275 Elgin Street (the south side of St John's Church), is open with a large selection of clothing, household goods and specialty items! We look forward to helping you find what you are looking for, and surprising treasures you weren't looking for, in our wonderful community thrift shop.

The Community Shop was established in 1967 to “to generate funds for church renovations and to offer free goods to people in need”. Today the Shop continues to fulfill these two goals contributing around $60,000 income annually to St John’s and, through the voucher system, providing free clothing and household items (valued at $60,000 at shop prices) to more than 500 individuals each year.

The Shop is staffed by volunteers - a mix of St John’s parishioners and members of the community. All of our goods are donated and come from the a wide range of donors from the St John’s community and from the community at large.

Donations can be dropped off at the Shop during regular hours of operation.

If you need a different time please email communityshop@stjohnsottawa.ca  to arrange a drop-off time.

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How to Get a Voucher

Individuals with financial need are provided essential clothing and household goods through a ‘voucher’ system. A variety of social service agencies issue the vouchers which entitle a customer to $35.00 worth of clothing &/or household goods (based on our prices) four times a year (the vouchers are issued on a quarterly basis). Agencies participating in this partnership include: Belong Ottawa (The Well, Centre 454, St Luke’s Table), Cornerstone, Centre 507, Centre Sophie, Centretown Community Health Centre, Sandy Hill Community Health Centre, Somerset West Community Health Centre, Vesta Recovery Program, Shepherds of Good Hope and the Y.

How to Volunteer

Those interested in volunteering at the St John’s Community Shop should sent in an expression of interest to communityshop@stjohnsottawa.ca. Please include your contact information, why you would like to volunteer in the shop, any previous volunteer experience and your availability. The Volunteer Coordinator reviews all expressions of interest and will contact you for a follow-up interview.

What can be donated:

 We are a source of gently-used clothing, household goods, books and specialty items:

• Backpacks, handbags, suitcases,
• Men’s and women’s clothing including outerwear, shoes and boots (no children’s clothing)
• Household goods – dishes, glassware, pots & pans, kitchenware, small appliances (in working order), lamps
• Linens – table cloths & placements, blankets, sheets, towels, mats,
• Books – current novels, recipe books
• Pictures, frames, office supplies
• Jewelry
• Collectables