Whether it be retro fashions, the latest styles or impeccable homewards and furnishings, the people of Bendigo love their op shops.
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That is the prevailing opinion of op shop managers Helen Hunter, Kara Simmonds and their army of loyal volunteers.
National Op Shop week has been celebrated across the community this week, with a focus on volunteer recruitment and donations.
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Ms Simmonds manages the Australian Red Cross' Lyttleton Terrace shop, which is on the verge of launching a donation campaign.
"Our store has adapted quickly to the health and safety requirements during the pandemic by quarantining donations," Ms Simmons said.
"Our 40 volunteers of all ages have such a willingness to learn and give back."
Spring and summer ladieswear and menswear is in short supply and high demand, according to Ms Simmonds.
"We can never have enough clothes and men in particular tend to wear their clothes until there is almost nothing left," Ms Simmonds said in jest.
The Red Cross store serves all demographics, a trait it has in common with Bendigo's Vinnies store, managed by Ms Hunter.
A part of St Vincent de Paul's network of stores, the Chapel Street retailer has been open throughout the pandemic.
"We have decreased trading hours and undertaken additional cleaning of the premises," Ms Hunter said.
The pandemic caused a deficiency in volunteers at Vinnies, with a team of nine people forming the backbone of the operations earlier this year.
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"During the first lockdown in March, many of our senior volunteers didn't come in but with the latest restrictions being eased, most of them have come back," Ms Hunter said.
"We are lucky to have our volunteers and we have fabulous volunteers."
Vinnies' Victorian retail operations manager Neil Harvey said the Bendigo community has embraced the store amid the pandemic.
"People have been working hard at home these past few months because we have seen plenty of donations come in to our Bendigo store," Mr Harvey said.
"The Vinnies shops are the chief revenue raising point for helping the need and the first port of call for that help is local.
"We raise the money locally and spend it locally."
The benefits of op shopping are often understated, with a stigma attached to the retailers, according to Mr Harvey.
"It's truly amazing some of the quality goods we receive and are able to sell at a cheap price," he said.
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Volunteerism makes op shops possible and the comradery created within the op shop team is the fabric of the operation.
"Volunteering is a great way to give back and with the pandemic, there aren't as many places to volunteer as there used to be," Mr Harvey said.
"With sporting clubs not functioning like normal, there may be people with some time to give back and we'd love them to join Vinnies."
It's truly amazing some of the quality goods we receive
- Neil Harvey, Vinnies Victorian retail operations manager
Uniting's White Hills op shop is holding a clearance sale to mark National Op Shop week, until close of business Saturday.
Uniting Victoria and Tasmania senior manager programs for Bendigo Heather Thompson said all funds raised through the op shop go towards helping Bendigo's most vulnerable people.
"It's been a challenging year for so many people and the sale is a small way of giving back," Ms Thompson said.
"The op shop helps fund the community services we provide in Bendigo including emergency relief, which provide immediate assistance such as food, clothing and assistance paying bills."
The Uniting op shop is located at 506 Napier Street, White Hills, open daily from 11am to 3pm.
Vinnies Bendigo is located at 31 Chapel Street, Bendigo, open daily from 10am to 5pm.
The Australian Red Cross Shop is located at 293 Lyttleton Terrace, Bendigo, open six days from 9.30am.