More Than a Fad is a thrift store operating online and out of three locations (Kingsway, Westpoint and Southside). All sales from the goods available, which includes clothing, home décor, kitchenware, books, collectibles, videos and music, directly support Adeara Recovery Centre (an addiction recovery centre for women and their children).
Adeara’s mandate is to end the cycle of addiction for women, their children, and subsequent generations. The non-profit does this by providing accredited addiction programming in a residential style community, giving time and space for each woman to address and heal from drug abuse and trauma. Of the women treated last year, more than 80 per cent were mothers, 70 per cent were addicted to hard drugs, and 50 per cent struggled with alcohol addiction. Since 1998, Adeara has broken the cycle of addiction and abuse for more than 600 women. Now, with the pandemic and opioid crisis ravaging Alberta, the need for Adeara’s services is greater than ever. In addition to donations (adeara.ca/donate-today), sales from More Than a Fad help meet this need.
More Than a Fad came about when the Shepherd’s Care Foundation was divesting their Treats n’s Treasures thrift store.
“It wasn’t in their profitability or their ongoing mandate,” explains Mark Evans, Chairman of the Adeara Board. “They asked if we could take it over. We built a committee to see if this could happen. It turned out to be a great idea. We took over the store, rebranded, and reworked the business plan.”
Evans credits Charlene Nanninga, Team Lead, for helping to make the venture a success and growing the online and in-store locations. He also praises the “really diverse team that makes all the difference,” and all the store’s donors and volunteers. “The landlords in all our mall locations have been very supportive,” he adds. “When they saw the vision of what we are doing, they partnered with us in an important way. We have not been able to do this on our own. People see the vision and come along to make it happen. It really is building a community.”
“People enjoy shopping with a purpose and making an impact while helping to lower their carbon footprint,” concludes Evans. “Know that shopping at More Than a Fad makes a difference in the lives of women in crisis.”
Visit www.morethanafad.ca to learn more about the store and how you can donate items or volunteer time. Learn more about Adeara at adeara.ca.
Current COVID guidelines are in effect at each store as per AHS recommendations. If in effect at the time of publication, masks are required and capacity limits help with social distancing. Sanitizer is available and management asks that you only touch the items you intend to buy. All carts are high touch surfaces are cleaned regularly. Online and curbside shopping is available. Subject to change as AHS guidance is updated.