The Salvation Army Hilo Temple Corps announced it will close the Hilo Sally Shop on Saturday, April 15.
After a business review and decision-making process involving its Hilo advisory board and others, the Salvation Army decided to close the shop and focus more on social services outreach in East Hawaii instead of retail sales.
“Because of the scope of our services in Hawaii County, we regularly look at our programs to make sure we’re using our resources efficiently and making the maximum use of all the resources we have,” said Sam LeMar, Hawaii Island coordinator and corps officer. “We’re so appreciative of the many years of support from the Hilo community, including customers, donors, our landlord, our dedicated employees.”
The Sally Shop, located at 194 Kamehameha Ave. in downtown Hilo, has operated from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday through its tenure. The store is no longer accepting goods for donation, and all merchandise is 50% off.
The store has five employees— two full-time and three part-time. Employees who do not find other jobs at Salvation Army programs will receive severance pay and assistance in finding other employment, according to LeMar.
The Salvation Army’s thrift stores in Honokaa and Kailua-Kona will remain open.
After closing the shop this month, the Salvation Army also will reallocate some funds to its new program, “Malama ‘Ohana Kitchen Trailer,” which is set to launch later this year to provide food directly to communities in need.
“Our new Malama ‘Ohana Kitchen Trailer is scheduled to debut this summer. It will allow us to reach out to communities to directly provide food where it’s most needed,” LeMar said. “We will also be redirecting funds from the shop to our food pantry, our community feedings and other outreach work we do across East Hawaii.”
The Salvation Army currently provides a weekly food pantry for those in need from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Fridays, and lunch from noon to 1 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Additional services offered by the Salvation Army include breakfasts by Under His Wings on Tuesdays and Wednesdays on the second and fourth week of each month, mobile showers provided by Hiehie from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Wednesdays and 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturdays, Sunday breakfasts by Mrs. Asejo, and Sunday dinners by a church co-op.
“We plan to launch more information on the new kitchen trailer as soon as we can,” LeMar said. “We are so grateful for the years of support in the Sally Shop from the Hilo community, and we want everyone to know that the Salvation Army is not going away.”
For information about The Salvation Army Hilo Temple Corps and to make a monetary donation to support local community outreach efforts, including the new Malama ‘Ohana Kitchen Trailer, visit Hilo.SalvationArmy.org.
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com.