Shop denies profit motive

By Paul Dunlop
VOLUNTEERS at a Cockatoo opportunity shop have had their feathers ruffled by suggestions they are part of a profitmaking organisation.
Nell Mitchell Opportunity Shop president Neil Jones contacted the Gazette last week saying promoters of the town’s new Care Plus outlet had given some residents the impression that op shops were profitdriven.
Mr Jones said he and other volunteers had been offended by a flier which said that unlike an op shop “which is there to make money”, the Care Plus shop’s goals were not financial.
Mr Jones acknowledged the inference was probably unintentional but said he wanted to emphasise his organisation was definitely not in it for the money.
“The Nell Mitchell Opportunity Shop was established some 43 years ago and has distributed over $500,000 to those in need in our immediate community,” Mr Jones said.
“Our organisation is a registered notforprofit association and does not operate as a profitdriven group.
“All of our staff are volunteers and are not paid in any manner to carry out their valuable and wellestablished duties.”
The Care Plus shop has been set up by the Pakenhambased 4C’s (Cardinia Combined Churches Caring) Emergency Food Bank and the Cardinia Christian Centre.
The shop opened last Thursday to an enthusiastic response and will cater for the growing number of people needing help to make ends meet.
Food bank coordinator Jeni Mathieson said there had been increasing demand for support services in the area.
Mrs Mathieson said she did not wish to comment on the flier but emphasised that volunteers from Cardinia Combined Churches Caring were also totally focused on caring for local people.
Mrs Mathieson said the Care Plus outlet was there for the Cockatoo community and was encouraged by the positive response it had received from residents and businesses.
Mr Jones said he had no problem with the Care Plus outlet being established in Cockatoo but wanted to clarify the situation.
“We welcome them to town, we are not trying to make a storm in a teacup,” he said.
“The new shop serves a damn good purpose and we fully support that.
“It is a service we welcome with open arms.”