Lockdown Three: Your local Oxfam shop needs you

The saying goes, third time’s a charm…but lets face it, there is little charming about the third wave of Covid-19 currently hitting the island of Ireland or the lockdown measures we all must respect to in order to save lives and support our already stretched health workers.

Last year, for the first time in over 60 years, we closed our shops across the island of Ireland to do our part in stopping the spread of Covid-19. As we entered the New Year we also entered our third lockdown, and like so many other local traders, we closed our doors.

Our shops play an invaluable role in raising much-needed funds for Oxfam’s work worldwide – they help ensure we can continue to protect and support some of the most vulnerable people in the world.

However, they’re not just vital to Oxfam’s mission to end the injustice of poverty, each one is community hub that has served and been supported by you for decades.

With our shops closed, we need your support now more than ever.

At this time of continued unprecedented challenges for all of us, our mission remains the same – to let you, our supporters, know how you can help communities facing extreme poverty and disaster. Life-saving work that is only possible because of your support.

We believe that sharing the stories and experiences of the communities Oxfam work with is even more important now as our teams monitor and respond to the threat of Covid-19 in the countries in which Oxfam works. Beyond the immediate threat of the disease itself, countless people are struggling to survive the economic fallout from the pandemic.

“This virus will starve us before it makes us sick.”

— Micah Olywangu, a taxi driver in Nairobi

We’re urgently appealing for your help and want to share some ways that you can continue to support your local Oxfam shop, even if its doors are closed.

We still want the things you don’t!

Drop your donations off today at one of our textile or book banks.
Save your donations and drop them in when we’re back up and running – for all of us, hopefully this will be sooner rather than later.
Any Christmas gifts lying about that you know you won’t use - keep them for us too! One person’s junk is another’s treasure.

You can still help us continue to raise vital funds:

Donate - make a one-off donation or setup a monthly one if you can.
Set up a Facebook fundraiser in solidarity with your local Oxfam shop – and help continue its crucial fundraising work! Couch to 5k? Squat challenge? Anyone?

Make meaningful (and kinda invaluable) resolutions this year:

Pop an email to your nearest Oxfam shop now to express your interest in volunteering with us when we reopen. Donating a little of your time and expertise to our team will have a bigger impact than you might think.
Make a pledge to buy more secondhand clothes and accessories this year by shopping at your local Oxfam. Good for your pocket (and wardrobe!), good for people, and good for our planet <3
Sending a card? Why not choose one from our Unwrapped alternative gift range and send hope along with your greeting.

Yemen Appeal

Our shops also play a central role in publicising our emergency appeals. Right now, we are raising funds to support the people of Yemen. As we battle Covid-19, many Yemeni families are on the brink of famine. Two thirds of the population rely on food aid to survive and the country is also grappling with the largest cholera outbreak on record. Our gravest concern is the widespread destruction of health and sanitation facilities which are vital to halt the spread of deadly diseases such as Covid-19.

"I appeal to the world to have mercy on the children of Yemen and stop this war. We are very tired of living in war for years, we lost everything beautiful in our lives, even the simple hope of peace.’’

— Ibtisam Sageer Al Razehi, 35-year-old teacher and mother of three

Thank you

Our shops have been a part of local communities as far back as 1956. That is 64 years of providing you with affordable and sustainable clothing, books, furniture and more.

Thank you for all of the ways you’ve supported us over those 64 years from donating and shopping to volunteering your time and talent.

From North to South, East to West and everyone in-between, we hope you will stand with us now and understand why we are asking for your continued support.

We hope to see you in-store once again soon. Until then, stay safe.

Oxfam Shop Teams