Siopa Pobal na Rosann is only too happy to assist those in need

‘One person’s trash is another person’s treasure,’ is something of a mantle of Siopa Pobal na Rosann, who continue to assist local charities in west Donegal.

Established in 2009, the charity shop based on Dungloe’s Main Street is run by the Community Development Project and the board of management, with volunteers having a huge day-to-day involvement 

“We have lost a few volunteers and we have gained a few volunteers, there is always a turnover but there is a small bank that has remained with us since the beginning,” shop manager Roseann Ní Ghallachóir told DonegalLive.

“We owe a lot to these volunteers. They put so much work into sorting and keeping the shop stocked on a daily basis." 

She added that there were two members of staff on a TÚS scheme and another person on a Community Employment scheme. 

Since the shop reopened after the lockdown and the new communities moved into Donegal as a whole, the shop has recorded higher profits than before. 

Management says the shop promotes recycling and sustainability while also giving back to the community especially those who are in need. Siopa Pobal na Rosann also make a cash donation to various charities on a monthly basis. The shop also helps those who are in need in the community with food banks and financial assistance.

“The takings have definitely gone up since the shop and the donations we have been receiving have also gone up,” Roseann added. “The demand is definitely there since the new communities came in. We are busier since we reopened.”

Some of the items you can find in the shop are mother-of-the-bride outfits, hats, scarves, dishes, Belleek China, Parian China and as Halloween approaches skull and pumpkin-themed baking tins. 

People use items from the shop to make crafts, some people buy ties, jackets and scarves to make bags and cushions, which gives the items a second life. 

“Bric-a-brac, clothes and shoes are very popular,” Roseann said. “People empty houses.  We are surprised, on occasion, about some of the items we receive. 

“There is nothing truer than one person’s trash is another person’s treasure because people bring in extraordinary items. Sometimes people donate items that are unusually expensive and they don’t realise it.”