The op shop has been forced to temporarily close on Thursdays and Saturdays until it can get more volunteers.

“It wasn’t a decision we took lightly,” store manager Lisa Donaldson said.

“But we’ve got to look after the volunteers we do have. They’ve been working extremely hard, many of them working double shifts.”

Ms Donaldson and captains Dean and Rhonda Clutterbuck are hoping people can put their hand up to help the organisation out.

There is a “diverse range” of ways volunteers can help out.

“There’s the warehouse, where people sort and grade clothes,” Ms Donaldson said.

“Then there’s the shop side of things – emptying the donation bins, driving the van, picking up donated furniture, sorting the bric-a-brac.”

Rhonda said they found jobs to suit an individual’s ability and skill set.

“Some people say they can’t do the shop’s till, that’s fine – there is always something else they are good at which would be helpful to us,” she said.

The Salvation Army is “very flexible” about when its volunteers work.

“If they can only do a couple of hours on a specific day every week, that’s fine,” Rhonda said.

“We understand every volunteer has other commitments and appreciate any time they can give to us.”

Rhonda said many of the volunteers got a sense of purpose from helping the organisation. “Our volunteers get a lot out of it,” she said.

“For people like recent widowers, who have had their whole world turned upside down and are alone and isolated, it’s good for them to connect with people.”

The op shop has adjusted its opening hours to 8.30am to 2pm and may be closed for a week in the near future so volunteers can be trained. Anyone interested in volunteering can call the Tamworth Salvation Army hub on 6762 3930.