The Salvation Army is turning over its Houston thrift store to the Houston Community Services Association as it prepares to end a decades-old presence in the community.
The change means the association will move its own "The Vault" thrift store to the Salvation Army location.
The Salvation Army's Coffee Kitchen social services program and its food bank are also being turned over to the community services association. Tim Hortons will continue to supply baked goods each day.
"We are delighted to keep these services available and look forward to welcoming our customers in the new space," said Houston Community Services Association chair Andrea Patrick. The Vault will re-open Nov. 12.
"With this opportunity, we aim to broaden our programs through grants and donations, empowering our community with initiatives that support wellness and address food security challenges."
Industrial size fridges, freezers, pallet jacks, tables, chairs, desks and all remaining supplies of food and toys are part of the turn over as the Salvation Army wraps up its presence in Houston.
The shift provides a retail location for "The Vault" that has been sought since the District of Houston council turned down a rezoning application to allow the thrift store to operate in space the association is leasing at the former United Church building on Butler Ave.
Residents there this spring objected strenuously to the prospect of a zoning change to allow a commercial operation such as "The Vault".
They said a resulting traffic increase and the kind of clientele that might be attracted would affect the area surrounding the former United Church building.
Council members unanimously accepted residents' objections and rejected the rezoning application. They did express support for a thrift store and hoped another location could be found.
Community services association employees said the idea of "The Vault" was to provide a structured life and employment skills education for at risk young people, citing a growth in the need for such assistance.
With the rezoning application denied, the association opened "The Vault" in a storage section of its office building.
The Salvation Army's decision to close its Houston thrift store represents a continuing change in how the organization offers services in the Hazeltons, Smithers and Houston areas.
Three years ago it closed its Smithers thrift store after 20 years, saying the move would allow it to concentrate on its one in Houston.
"The Salvation Army has a long history in the community and although we can no longer provide direct support, we are happy to be able to continue to serve the community through this innovative partnership with the Houston Community Services Association," said Lara Niessen, the community ministry director for the Salvation Army in the Bulkley Valley.
This past summer the Army said there was an increasing demand for food and services in Houston as well as Smithers to the point it could not financially meet the need.
It cited the closure of Canfor's Houston sawmill as a factor in causing more people to approach it for help.
