ZOILA’S Community Op-Shop is a self-funded charity that strives to help the less fortunate in Mandurah and beyond.
Founded by Zoila Cruz almost 12 years ago the passionate 57-year-old said people needed help throughout the year, not just in winter.
“I’m always stocked up well before winter in anticipation,” she said.
Zoila’s Community Op-Shop assists those in need in several ways including food vouchers, food donations, furniture donations, sleeping bags for the homeless, clothing and more.
Mrs Cruz, who has been involved in charity organisations for close to 30 years, said helping people was something she felt strongly about.
“I grew up with domestic violence around me and as result have always wanted to help people,” she said. “I first volunteered as an 18-year-old at Second Harvest [similar to FoodBank] in Belmont and have volunteered ever since.
“I don’t like seeing people go with out; there’s no need for them to.”
That is why Mrs Cruz founded Zoila’s Community Op-Shop.
The charity has an op-shop store that provides cheap clothing and even free clothing to the homeless but also donated furniture, food and other goods to those in the community that need it.
Mrs Cruz said the charity had acquired a truck so if anyone was throwing away furniture they could come pick it up and give it to someone who needs it.
“Last week we had a lady who was looking for a mattress and when we went around to drop it off we found that she had an empty house,” she said.
“We gathered what we had and ended up furnishing her house.”
The charity founder said she had recently found that middle class people were now in need of help.
“There are far needier now,” she said. “People are losing there jobs and are finding it hard to find more work.”
She said they seem embarrassed when they come into the store but said there was no need to be.
“People can look at it as paying it forward, when they are in the position they can pay it forward in the future,” Mrs Cruz said.
Mrs Cruz said the charity use to give cash donation but now give food vouchers or products to make sure the money goes to what the person actually needs.
Zoila’s also give bread away for free on Wednesday and Friday.
To assist the charity people can come into the store and make a purchase or donation.
Anyone who has furniture to donate can call the shop on 9586 2245 and arrange a time or go in store at 2, 98 Pinjarra Road, Mandurah.
