Salvation Army Family Store

The Salvation Army have been transforming lives since 1865 They're the pillar of our community, tirelessly helping with food parcels, budgeting advice, clothing, furniture, temporary housing and many other things like alcohol and drug support and driver training programmes. It's more important now than ever to implement ways of minimising our carbon footprint and being more mindful of a sustainable way of living in this consumer driven economy. By reducing, reusing and recycling we can do something more meaningful for our environment and for the next generation. Also by choosing sustainable materials and ethical manufacturer's that pay fair wages, and manufacturers that adhere to values, that uphold the exploitation of vulnerable people, and their working conditions. I shop at the Salvation Army Store because recycling and reusing helps reduce our carbon footprint. Global warming is approaching a tipping point and it is our responsibility to do something about it, no matter how small. "If we all dream the same dream, then it becomes reality" As Carl Sagan, the famous American astronomer and cosmologist poignantly said in his book, 'Pale Blue Dot'- "To me it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another, and to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we have ever known"-Carl Sagan I enjoy baking for family and friends so I'm always on the hunt for cooking utensils that will come in handy. I find it satisfying, fulfilling and really rewarding when you see the reaction on a person's face when you give them a treat they least expected. Their smile is priceless, even for something simple as a loaf of sourdough bread, a fresh strawberry cheesecake or a banana cake. Homelessness, rough sleeping and sleeping in cars is increasing at an alarming rate across the country and right here in Whangārei. Homelessness doesn't discriminate. It can happen to anybody. People can suffer discrimination, feel ashamed, isolated, and lose all hope in humanity, especially the vulnerable like the elderly and women and children. When they're cold and hungry and they're at their lowest point in their lives, the Salvation Army have always been there to lend a hand and comfort them, but you can't expect them to do it alone. This is a systemic failure that has marginalised the most vulnerable of our community. The paths to homelessness are complex. Anything from unemployment, tenancy eviction, lack of affordable housing, high cost of living, drug addiction, mental health issues, domestic violence, sexual abuse and relationship breakdowns can contribute towards becoming homeless. Nobody plans on being homeless. The choice was more often than not, a result of having no other options. Food and shelter is a basic human right. Unfortunately with homelessness you see the best and worst of humanity. Thanks to the Salvation Army and other charitable organisations, and all the volunteers that work in food banks, food rescue, and soup kitchens. Successive governments have ignored the warning signs and homelessness is skyrocketing. Unemployment is at a four-year high, while the number in work saw the largest annual decline since 2009. The slowing economy has worsened poverty. New Zealand's economy was the worst performing in the developed world last year according to HSBC. The conservative government's budget last year targeted lower debt and included little spending to support the economy. The Salvation Army report released earlier this month found that 400,000 people needed welfare, the most since the 1990s. Food insecurity and homelessness have both risen. Despite spending cuts, lower tax revenue has forced the government to give up on achieving budget surpluses in the next five years. The Australian economy has fared much better by comparison with unemployment near record lows, making it the hot choice for kiwi job seekers. Last year 128,700 people permanently left New Zealand, provisionally the largest exodus on record. More than half a million kiwis now call Australia home.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great store with friendly staff and good prices. Always find something useful. Love supporting a good cause too!

Nice store with great prices. Younger girl staff member needs customer service training or be kind to customers please.

I love this place it's got something for everyone.... I love most of the staff.... but the manager is so cold and unapproachable that she also goes out of her day to make your experience there miserable. She talks like your beneath her and really makes me not want to go in when i see her on. I asked her for assistance and she was so unhelpful I couldn't believe what I was hearing

Shop used to be great but please guys enforce mask wearing. Really. Have been for three days in a row and every single times multiple people inside not wearing a mask nor being asked for an exemption, some even jocking between one another saying they haven’t been asked to wear one. I understand that people might get confrontational, but covid is a serious thing and not strictly enforcing mask wearing is putting all your customers at risk.