Waiariki store popping up for charity

COMMUNITY: Salvation Army Family Store volunteers Mohney Hodge (left), Victoria Anderson and Katherine Foreman with some of the items for the Waiariki charity pop up shop. PHOTO/BEN FRASER

Students from Waiariki Bay of Plenty Polytechnic will gain real-life retail experience from running a pop up charity shop on campus.

Julia Cass-Janes, tutor in the Creative Arts Department, said her 20 high school students were excited and a little nervous about the shop, being held on Friday.

"They will learn about charity and communication. They'll have to deal with customers, give them advice and run through sales on the eftpos machine, deal with money and do an inventory.

"I wanted to give them real world experience."

The students are studying towards a certificate in Fashion Retail Level 3.

All the items on sale, from shoes to toys, have been supplied by the Salvation Army Family Store on Pukuatua St.

"The Salvation Army do really great work, we have a good relationship with them," said Ms Cass-Janes.

Lisa Fraser, Salvation Army Family Store manager said the store had wondered what it could do to get out to the Waiariki community.

She said by the time Waiariki students finished class for the day the store in town was closed.

"So we thought we should take it to them."

Farmers is lending clothes racks to be used on the day.

Mrs Fraser said the pop up shop would give the students responsibility and they would have to work by the Salvation Army guidelines.

"I'm definitely looking forward to seeing how it goes. As the community helps the Salvation Army, we help them. It's a win-win situation.

"It's going to be enjoyable, affordable and it will be really good if the community gets along."

The charity pop up shop will be held this Friday, 10am to 1.30pm, in J Block at Waiariki Bay of Plenty Polytechnic's Mokoia campus.