IODE Thrifty Finds: The Gentle Power of a Small Shop
Shop address： 432 Kerr St., Oakville.
In Oakville, there is a small, unassuming shop. Its storefront is modest, with old backpacks, glassware, and plush toys displayed in the window. It looks ordinary, yet it quietly changes the lives of many people.
In May 2026, two representatives from the VLA Parents Salon, together with Celine, Chair of the VLA Youth Committee, visited this charity thrift store called IODE Thrifty Finds. The shop is small, tucked into the corner of a quiet street. The items in the window are not matching or shiny—but each one comes from a loving donor.
In May 2026, Ms. Lu Jin, Ms. Yewen He from VLA Parents Saloon and VLA’s Youth Committee Chair Celine Liu visited IODE Thirfty Finds. Picture generated by Copilot AI.
Stepping inside, what caught our attention was not the merchandise, but the volunteers— a group of elderly women with silver hair, almost grandmotherly figures. Celine whispered, “Their average age must be around eighty!” They worked gently and quietly, sorting items and checking receipts. Only when a customer spoke did they look up, offering a warm, tender smile.
This is an IODE charity thrift store. IODE was founded in 1900 by Margaret Polson Murray and has a history of 126 years. It is one of Canada’s earliest national women’s organizations, dedicated to child welfare, educational support, and community service.
Video editor: Yewen He; Photographer: Lu Jin & Celine Liu
On June 14, 2026, the shop held a simple yet meaningful scholarship ceremony. Eleven graduating students from various public high schools in Oakville each received $2,000 to support their university studies. These young people were not selected based on grades, but because they were considered the ones who needed help the most. Most of the $22,000 in scholarship funds came from the shop’s daily sales— earned through the patient, steady work of these elderly volunteers.
Beyond supporting high school students, IODE also provides bursaries for students in Sheridan College’s theatre performance program. Volunteers personally visit Staples to select stationery and purchase winter essentials, then mail them to Indigenous schools in Newfoundland and Labrador. Children there are always delighted to receive learning supplies from Toronto.
VLA is a nonprofit organization founded in 2025, made up of Chinese newcomers to Canada. We are grateful to have discovered this charity shop and hope to contribute to our community as well. If you have clothing, books, stationery, small appliances, or gifts you no longer use, you are welcome to bring them to 432 Kerr St., Oakville. Clean them, pack them in a bag, and hand them to the volunteers—they will sort, store, and display them for sale.
The prices in the shop are very low: a glass fishbowl for $5, leather shoes for $6, a used backpack for $3… Many customers may be newcomers or low-income families, relying on affordable yet decent second-hand items to support their job search, settlement, and future.
The shop is small, and every inch of space is filled with goods. The shopping experience is not like walking into a large mall, but the bookshelves and glassware are spotless. As rent has continued to rise over the years, the charity shop has had to relocate several times within Oakville, yet it has always worked hard to keep serving the community.
As we ended our visit, we felt deeply moved. This kind of charity is so real. Every volunteer and every donor contributes small acts of care and practical help, infusing the community with kindness and warmth. Oakville is a beautiful place— a place where goodwill is preserved and where ordinary people quietly choose to give. VLA is also such a warm and supportive community for Chinese newcomers.
A daily scene of IODE Thrifty Finds. Everyone here offers a warm, tender smile. Picture generated by Copilot.
We hope this video reminds you— when you tidy up your home, remember that there is a little shop called IODE Thrifty Finds, waiting for your treasures. Thank you for your support.
