Donate – don’t dump trash – at the Beacon
Although the dumpster outside the Beacon of Hope on Doug Taylor Circle is not for public use, it seems people are using it to either rummage through, in an effort to obtain items the thrift store has deemed unusable, or to simply leave their own garbage. The dumpster, which has a cable and lock, has been broken into over the years, according to Thrift Store Manager Ray West.
“People, over the years, have actually snapped the doors up so they can break into the dumpster and go trough the things that we’ve tossed. There’s broken glass and that’s dangerous,” West said.
In the past few weeks, West said, someone cut the cable attached to the lock, which protects the dumpster. The Beacon pays $250 a month for use of the commercial dumpster and now has to think about a better way to protect it from getting broken into.
“This past week someone dropped stuff off in front of the dumpster. That was not from our dumpster, but I have found stuff from our dumpster on the outside of it, and it’s disheartening having to handle things two and three times, but this was stuff that came from somewhere else. The sad thing is, we’re a non-profit. We help people on the island. If somebody’s that desperate, come and let us know. Go to the community programs and say I’m in need. The Beacon will certainly find a way to help,” West said.
Beacon Board member Elsie Stearns said the Beacon of Hope is here to help people, and her hope is that people would not hurt the organization.
“The Beacon Board asks the community to please be considerate and not leave trash, because it hurts the Beacon, who has a reputation for helping people. When someone leaves their trash, our volunteers, our coordinators, our directors and staff, who are so giving with their time and talent, have to show up and do even more,” Stearns said.