Charity shops face unprecedented demand for second-hand uniforms
Maura Kelly with uniform items in the Sue Ryder shop on Castle Street.
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Tuesday August 11 2009
CHARITY shops in Carlow are facing an unprecedented demand for second-hand school uniforms as cashstrapped parents face into one of the most expensive times of the year.
'We've definitely seen an increase in the demand for second-hand uniforms,' Mary Dempsey, a volunteer with the Sue Ryder shop on Castle Street, Carlow, said this week. 'We're looking for more uniforms because of that demand.'
Gorta's charity shop, across from the Post Office on Burrin Street, Carlow, has also experienced an increase in demand for good quality, used uniforms and they, too, are appealing to the public to donate them.
While bargains can be found in chain stores such as Penneys and Tesco, charity shop prices are the only option for many parents who are suffering financially in the recession.
Maura Dowling, director of the Carlow branch of Money Advice and Budgeting Service, (MABS), said that their service has experienced an increase in demand from parents struggling to meet the costs of sending their children back to school.
'With the downturn in the economy, a lot more people are on Social Welfare payments or have suffered from reduced payments,' Maura said. 'They're the ones who are taking the hit and we've definitely experienced an increased demand for our services.'
Parents are advised to apply for the back to school clothing allowance from the Community Welfare Department of the H.S.E. if they're on a social welfare payment, if they're on a training or educational course or if they're taking part in an approved employment scheme.
Maura advises people to plan ahead and work out exactly how much money they'll need in the coming weeks.
'Plan ahead, make lists and find out exactly how much you need,' she concluded.
MABS, based beside Shamrock Plaza on Tullow Street, has issued a help sheet to advise parents on how best to cope in these straitened times.
- Elizabeth LEE
