Image Credit: CFJC Today / Chad Klassen

By Chad Klassen

SALVATION ARMY THRIFT STORE

Sally’s Friends helps street people with clothing, necessities they need

Jul 26, 2019 | 4:18 PM

KAMLOOPS — Sally’s Friends started out as an initiative to help provide street workers in Kamloops with the clothing and footwear they needed. It also launched to curb theft and vandalism at the Salvation Army Thrift Store on the North Shore.

The 60 people, both homeless and street workers, that are part of the program are provided two free outfits a day at the thrift store, as well as shoes and other items they may need.

Dayton Brown, who lives on the streets in Kamloops, is one of Sally’s Friends. The program provides him with new clothes, shoes, and whatever else he may need at no cost.

“You go through clothes a lot and you lose them or you need new ones because they get soaking wet,” said Brown. “You can’t wash your clothes or nothing out there. It’s nice to be able to come and get changed.”

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Sally’s Friends was started in 2015 by Sally Magee, the manager of the Salvation Army Thrift Store. While on the floor sorting, she’s always looking out for people who are in need of clothing items.

“They’re still people. They still have hearts and souls and spirits, and if we don’t reach out and lift them up, how can we expect them to have the strength and believe in themselves, too?” said Magee.

Magee started the program shortly after she took over as manager of the thrift store. At the time, there was a lot of theft and vandalism of property. However, in the last four years since Sally’s Friends began, most of the problems have been eradicated.

More than anything, though, Magee has built trust with the street people, as have other staff members.

“I have one staff member that can name you every single Sally’s Friend and their birth date,” she noted. “So that one has made a connection. Other staff members here have made different connections. Myself, they come into the office, they come to see me. They come to share their good and their bad. That has grown and developed more.”

Lana Pollock is a supervisor at the thrift store. She’s been with the Salvation Army for 26 years and is proud to be involved with the Sally’s Friends program.

“Seeing the happy faces when they get up to the till and we’ve looked after them in a respectful way,” said Pollock. “We try to connect with them on a personal level as well, and take any personal information that we can if they’re willing.”

Years ago, before she lost her vision in one eye, Lana walked the Kamloops streets at night to provide street people and street workers with the supplies they needed. She would love to do it again one day through Sally’s Friends.

“I’m hoping to get back to the street, and the connections I’ve made here with Sally’s Friends and working with them every day, I’m hoping to see those folks out there, too, and re-connect,” said Pollock.

Magee says that is the next step for the program, but she doesn’t want to stretch herself and her staff too thin. Whether it’s at the thrift store or on the streets, Dayton is thankful for Sally and her program for providing what he needs to get by every day on the streets.