TORONTO — Just a Second Shop (JASS), operated by Jewish Family & Child, is set to celebrate its 25th anniversary on May 31.
JASS offers variety of new and gently used clothing and small household items.
Located at 4117 Bathurst St., south of Sheppard Avenue, the store, open six days a week, offers new and gently used clothing and small household items at reasonable prices.
Ron Prosserman, volunteer chair for the anniversary celebrations, said that the store is “one of the more exciting ventures at JF&CS. It helps our most vulnerable women, children and Jewish families with their clothing needs, and enhances their lives and dignity.”
He said that JASS serves 50 to 60 clients of JF&CS and Jewish Immigrant Aid Services weekly – clients on financial assistance can select a certain number of items at no charge – and has at least 800 members “on the books.”
Last year, he said, proceeds from the store helped send a number of youths to Jewish day and overnight camps.
Donations of nearly new clothing and small household items such as dishes, cutlery and small appliances, books and toys in good working condition are always welcome, said Prosserman, and can be deposited at the yellow collection boxes located in front of the store, at Associated Hebrew School on Atkinson Avenue, at the Bathurst Jewish Community Centre and at Beth Tikvah Synagogue on Bayview Avenue.
Donations are also received through clothing drives by individuals or Hebrew day schools and from canvassing of manufacturers or retail outlets for new merchandise, he said.
He said that he asks people to be “thoughtful” when donating items. “They should be gently used and the clothing should be preferably in season. We have to pay to discard anything we can’t use.”
Rachel Landy, a volunteer co-ordinator at JASS, said that they concentrate on customer service. “Our staff and volunteers speak a number of languages, so everyone feels welcome when they walk in the door, whether or not they are paying customers.
“The store is run like a real business, and the staff [exudes] a lot of positive energy.”
Prosserman said they’re all looking forward to the anniversary celebrations. “We’re having door-crasher specials, music, and some extra special fashions. We’re putting in extra effort to make it an exciting day.”
