THE Salvation Army is urging Sunraysia residents to keep their donations at home to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
It comes after the temporary closure of Mildura’s Langtree Avenue and Fourteenth Street thrift stores, and the Ouyen store, to protect volunteers who fall in the most vulnerable age bracket.
Managing co-ordinator Michelle Rummings said the Salvos store at Mildura’s Homemaker Centre on Fifteenth Street would stay open.
“We won’t be accepting any donations in the shop, or at drop off points in Fourteenth Street as we can’t guarantee if things are safe or contaminated,” she said.
“We’ve also had to fence around the yard on Fourteenth Street … our volunteers are above 65 and I can’t risk any of them getting sick.”
Ms Rummings said spirits were “keeping positive” in store and regular welfare checks across the community were still happening.
“We’re just asking the public to respect our yards and simply understand,” she said.
The Salvos store on Fifteenth Street is trading Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm, and Saturdays from 9am to 3pm.
