By Vanessa Chircop
FOR 36 years Jasmine Holdsworth has run an Opportunity Shop on Challis St Newport, selling second hand goods for charity and providing food relief to struggling residents.
Despite her many years of community service the pensioner believes residents are experiencing the toughest times she has witnessed in all her years and the Op Shop is struggling to keep up.
“People are in need,” she said.
“It’s a tough time – we get a lot of Burmese refugees coming in wanting food and clothing and a lot of middle aged men paying high rent.”
Jasmine said the Op Shop is in dire need of practical canned and dry goods like vegetable soups, long life milk, coffee, tea and warm winter blankets.
Jasmine said the Op Shop isn’t just a place to buy affordable used goods and receive charity but a place to come and have a chat and a cup of tea.
“We get a lot of pensioners who come in every week and we make them a cup of tea and listen to them,” she said.
“There’s a lot of lonely people out there and people depend on us.”
The volunteers Jasmine, Mary-Anne, Barbara and Mary are all in the 70s and run the shop in their spare time.
All four friends said it’s devastating when someone comes in looking for food and they don’t have any left to give.
“It’s heartbreaking,” Jasmine said.
The pensioner is no stranger to charity not only did she raise six children but took in 14 foster children.
“I do it because I enjoy what I do.”
“If you’re in an Op Shop you meet so many people – and there are some beautiful people out there.”
If you would like to make a donation to the Op Shop drop in at 42 Challis St, Newport and ask for Jasmine.
