The St Vincent de Paul Society will celebrate National Op Shop Week across its Vinnies stores this week from August 24-31.

With around 250 Vinnies shops and presence in most cities and towns in NSW, for many people Vinnies shops are the well-known and loved face of the St Vincent de Paul Society.

Vinnies shops are run by dedicated volunteers and employees and offer pre loved affordable clothing, furniture, books, music and bric-a-brac.

Bega Vinnies is popular for its seasonal changeovers, with store manager Mary Nugent turning the winter and summer opening days into events everyone in the Valley looks forward to.

Apart from providing affordable goods Vinnies shops are often the first point of contact for people experiencing disadvantage who are seeking help.

Last year Vinnies centres provided almost $2million worth of assistance at no cost.

National Op Shop Week also provides an opportunity to educate the community and what op-shops can and can’t take.

In the last year Vinnies in NSW alone spent $1.9 million dollars recycling and managing unsellable items.

Recycling and disposing of waste comes at an enormous cost, ultimately directing resources away from people who need our help.

To find your nearest Vinnies store to donate your preloved items during National Op Shop Week visit www.vinnies.org.au/shops.