Brian Tape approached The Bunyip late last week, after finding out all his belongings, including a recently purchased tent, had been disposed of. PHOTO: Ellouise Crawford.
THE Gawler community has given a humbling response to last week’s story relating to the disposal of a local homeless man’s possessions.
Last week The Bunyip told of how Gawler Council had mistakenly disposed of several items, including a tent, clothing and mobile phone, belonging to Brian Tape.
The items were found at Dead Man’s Pass, where Mr Tape had been sleeping rough.
Fortunately, council said it was able to recover the items, some of which The Bunyip understands have since been returned.
Members of the public have also approached Mr Tape with offers of help and donations of new camping gear or a phone.
Gawler UCare’s program manager Sheena Tapping said donations of non-perishable food items, or of good-quality clothing, sleeping bags and blankets to their second-hand shop, are an effective way to help those less fortunate.
“(The op shop) supports the operations here to keep the lights on and cover the bills, so it’s always useful for people to drop those things off,” she said.
“We also utilise the op shop for emergency relief purposes and it’s of no cost to people.
“No one goes out without a blanket if they come to see us, or if they need spare set of clothes they can get one.”
The Gawler Uniting Church Corner Op shop, on Tod Street, is open 9.30am to 3pm, Monday to Thursday.
