Students became part of the process “Turning Fashion Into Food”

When the Greener Village Food Bank wanted to use their available space to create a boutique, the manager approached universities and people in the community, which put out a call for people who were willing to donate their time— “Turning clothes into food” changed to be their goal to become a fact.

“Every person who donates to the food bank is supporting us; every person who buys from us is supporting us. Those people who volunteer, they’re wonderful. We couldn’t do half of what we’re doing without them. The store wouldn’t exist,” said Lucy Ramsey, manager.

The food bank moved into this new location in 2012, using the rest of the space to make a boutique. It has a drive-through system where you are greeted by a volunteer before choosing items from shelves.  The food bank is also connected with the boutique through a sale revenue, and it is willing to help people in the community in an emergency, providing food and affordable clothes.

“So our prices are somewhat lower than most of the thrift stores in the city,” said Ramsey. “Because we want to ensure our clients can access what they need.”

The blog Discover Stouffville explains the benefits of thrifting; however, during these last years, it is possible to see different thrift stores in which prices are less accessible.

“Our main goal is to offer affordable prices. And every donation and purchase from the store goes back in revenue for the food bank, so we are turning fashion into food,” said Alexa English, manager assistant.

Greener Village is currently averaging 1300 to 1500 families a month affected due to the pandemic, inflation or rent cost. A few years ago used to be around 900 families, said English.

Ramsey said during the pandemic, it was tough to see the best in people, and it was easy to be down. She added that students and permanent volunteers donate their time, and they do it with joy.

“They don’t have to do that, but they remind you that people are generous and kind and loving and giving. And so you go home at the end of the day, and you feel good,” said Ramsey.

St. Thomas University’s students volunteered on March 8 in the boutique. Students were in charge of organizing bookshelves, cleaning, classifying clothes and putting out new clothes according to seasons.

Fernanda Sanchez, an STU student, said it is impressive how elderly workers could remain standing for several hours. She added she learned different things, from recognizing details and the clothes’ condition to classifying them for seasons and finally deciding what should go to the store.

“I wanted to sit down or have a break, but when I see older workers constantly on the go and working without a break, it was very surprising,” said Sanchez.

“They trusted us,” said Sanchez. She added it was her first time volunteering, she had fun, and she felt she had control over deciding what should go out to the store.

Ramsey said there’s a lot of work involved, but it’s fun. She said many willing hands make it possible to achieve organization in the food bank and the boutique.

“We have people who are capable of doing what we need them to do and are willing to do anything because we don’t have staff. So we rely on volunteers,” said Ramsey. “Without them, we just couldn’t do anything.”