Gleaners set up new shop

Jake Klassen carries a donated chair into the new North Okanagan Gleaners Used Furniture showroom Friday.

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The North Okanagan Valley Gleaners have gleaned a new location for their thriving business venture.

The North Okanagan Valley Gleaners Used Furniture And Appliance Store has moved from a permanent location, donated by Kal Tire, on Kal Lake Road, to a permanent location at 4405-29th Street across from Carpet Castle.

“The store is run by volunteers, and all proceeds go to help operate the Gleaners’ plant on Whitevale Road in Lavington,” explained Gleaners spokesperson Mary Spoor.

The purpose of the North Okanagan Valley Gleaners is to “glean.”

“We take vegetables and fruits that do not qualify for retail market but are still great for consumption  and dehydrate them,” said Spoor. “The dehydrated items are then mixed into a soup mix  or into fruit snacks. These products are then distributed by well-known agencies such as World Vision to feed the hungry.”

Thanks to community support of the Gleaners’ store and donations, the plant has produced over one million cups of soup this past year.

The Gleaners’ store has been operating at an old Kal Tire building since last October.

They received the use of this building free of charge.

“We are most grateful to Kal Tire for allowing us the opportunity to start our used furniture and appliance store,” said Spoor. “It has been a rewarding experience and public response has been tremendous.  We seem to be fulfilling a need in the community for people to recycle their still usable furniture and appliances.”

The store’s goals are three-fold:

1. To raise monies to operate the gleaners plant in Lavington;

2. To help needy families obtain used furniture and appliances at affordable prices;

3. To recycle and reduce items going to the landfill.

“We thank the Vernon and area communities for their tremendous support these past four months,” said Spoor. “We hope to fill our new store with great new items.”

Anyone having furniture or appliances to donate  can call 250-309-8854 . Volunteers will gladly pick up your items.

The store is also looking for more volunteers, anyone who would be able to give four hours a week would be appreciated.

The Gleaners invite everyone to drop in and see their new store.