The Salvation Army

A few facts: The Salvation Army is one of Australia’s largest organisations with more than 1,650,000 members working in over 110 countries. The Army originally began in London and was founded on Australian shores in South Australia by John Gore and Edward Saunders. Since then the organisation has been active for 130 years. With programs ranging from youth services to aged care, the Salvation Army helps over one million Australians annually.

In what started as a recycling initiative, the first generation of Salvation Army stores was a recycling depot, which opened in Australia in 1880. Known as ‘Prison Gate Brigade Home, provided work, accommodation and food for men leaving prison. The men were engaged in the monotonous labour of recycling tasks such as bailing waste paper.

In time, ‘jumble sales’ were added to the Prison Gate Brigade Home program, which enabled those without much in the way of spare cash to clothe themselves and their children with good quality second hand items. Later other household items were also recycled by what was known as ‘Salvage Departments’. The ‘Salvos Stores’, play a pivotal role in the success of the Salvation Army’s endeavors. Generating in excess of one hundred million dollars in sales annually, the stores are vital to the operation of the Salvation Army’s community contribution.

“We love The Salvos. And who wouldn’t? They’re just real working angels to so many people in our community.  Two thumbs up.”

Salvos Stores today have evolved into a national recycling and shopping experience, welcoming customers from all walks of life. The environmental contribution to our community is staggering. For example: The Salvation Army is currently responsible for the largest international network of collection centres, retail stores and recycled clothing export services and Salvos Stores are the largest urban recyclers in the Southern Hemisphere. So much so, that recently The Salvos were nominated for a prestigious international award for their green initiatives.

Donations and in store purchases do more than fund the Salvos stores environmentally supportive program. Used furniture, clothing and goods donated to Salvos Stores are distributed free of charge to those in need through the Salvation Army’s network. Profits from in store sales contribute to the community service work of the Salvation Army.

On a weekly basis the Salvation Army provides:

• 100,000 meals for the hungry
• 2,000 beds for the homeless
• up to 8,000 food vouchers
• 1,000 people with assistance in finding employment
• refuge to 500 victims of abuse
• assistance to 500 people addicted to drugs, alcohol or gambling
• several thousand people with counseling
• 3,000 elderly people with aged care services
• 40 people in the court system with chaplaincy services; and
• family tracing services, which locate 40 missing family members.

That’s each week!

Salvos Stores also operate as a community bridging program which provides employment and on the job training for those in the Work for Dole Program. The training offered to Salvos Stores employees consists of warehousing, logistics, sorting, furniture restoration, retail, repairing electrical appliances and administrative skills. Salvos Stores and staff training programs operate in a strong spirit of teamwork and equality amongst team members.

Through Salvos Stores, an active improvement in community recycling programs saves significant amounts of unwanted items from landfill. Staffing programs provide employment and training to many in need and also provide vital services to the members of our community who need support the most. The influence of The Salvos is across multiple levels!

Meanwhile, shopping at Salvos Stores provides a chance to engage in a positive community contribution, while enjoying a unique, friendly, affordable and environmentally sustainable shopping experience.

That’s two thumbs up from Girlo!

Salvos website.

Photographer: Madeleine Walton-Hespe