My favourite place to shop these days is Vinnies

Like my local Vinnies in Tuggeranong, which always seems to be teeming with people, especially around lunchtime. Nothing like a sneaky trip away from the desk to rummage around the bric-a-brac or sort through the seemingly endless supply of clothes.

It's the same at other haunts like Vinnies in Phillip and the Salvos in Woden, always chock-a-block.

Maybe the many shoppers have, in recent times, been panicked parents trying to find costumes for Book Week or Halloween, because charity shops are usually gold for that. It may be we just don't have the money to spend on anything other than second-hand. Or perhaps it just feels good to buy something that otherwise might have gone to landfill. Maybe it's just thrill of finding a bargain.

I'm pretty much all of the above. It seems as many bags as I drop off as donations to Vinnies, I take home again with new things. I'm even determined to get most of my Christmas shopping second-hand this year.

And there's just more stuff in the charity shops at the moment.

St Vincent de Paul Society Canberra/Goulburn operations manager Simon Felgate said COVID-19, as with everything else, had prompted some changes to the charity shop sector as well.

"We have seen an increase of donations coming through the doors of approximately 15 per cent this year," Mr Felgate said.

"We have attributed much of this to the changing of work habits in 2020. With more people working from home they have taken the opportunity to clean house. This also leads to donors shopping whilst dropping off donations.

"There is also an increase in the number of donors and customers who are looking at sustainable and environmentally responsible ways of getting rid of items that are no longer required.

The temporary closure of other charity stores has also been a factor in the increase of donations, and increase in shoppers."

Visit a Vinnies and you soon see that it appeals to a range of ages, but increasingly young people looking for clothes, especially vintage finds.

"Our sales breakdown is just over half of our sales are clothing followed by household items," Mr Felgate said.

"Women's clothing makes up over half of those sales. We get a great range of clothing including many new clothes with tags and some great vintage items. Basic homewares, including some fantastic antique pieces, and toys are always great sellers."

Mr Felgate said COVID-19 might also have an impact on donations over Christmas.

"We are gearing up for another busy Christmas where we traditionally see an increase in donations," he said.

"With many people not travelling this year due to restrictions we are looking forward to getting more quality donations and an increased number of customers looking for a bargain or a treasure. The volume of donations that come through during the Christmas period is welcome as it does allow us to hold stock for the leaner times during the year."

And, now, Vinnies needs your help. It is always on the lookout for volunteers. Without them, the stores would be almost impossible to operate.

"To assist with sorting all the donations we receive, we are looking for additional volunteers - particularly over the summer months," Mr Felgate said.

If you can help, please email volunteer.cg@vinnies.org.au or go to www.vinnies.org.au/