Since 2009 $858,500 of funding made through the shop has been distributed back to the community. This does not include the $185,000 worth of improvements made to the Kendall Pool.​​

Coordinators Elaine Browning and Denise Martin said the secret to its success comes down to the shop’s popularity with the community and the volunteers who work tirelessly to ensure everything sold is of a high standard. 

Ms Browning said the volunteers and customers know the money made through the shop is distributed first locally to Kendall and then to the wider Port Macquarie-Hastings region. 

“People know the money doesn’t go to a central body for distribution,” she said. 

Ms Martin said people make special trips from Taree and Port Macquarie for the sole purpose of visiting the op shop. 

“It’s an outing for them to come here, have a look around and purchase all their goods,” she said. 

“They just love it.” 

There are about 80 volunteers who work in the op shop. 

Ms Browning said the volunteers take pride in the work they do within the op shop. 

Everyone takes responsibility for a certain area of the shop depending on what they are passionate about. 

“We’ve got two ladies here who love jewellery and they are in charge of that section,” Ms Browning said. 

The op shop is not run by a boss rather it relies on shared responsibility taken on by the volunteers who manage it each day. 

“No one can do everything but everyone can do something,” Ms Browning said. 

“To me that’s an indicator of how the shop works.” 

Ms Browning is in charge of the electronics within the shop.

“I don’t know much about glassware and clothing so that’s why I do the electronics,” she said.

Ms Martin said it’s disappointing when people take advantage of the kind hearted people who donate to the op shop. 

On the night of March 28 a barbecue, standard lamp and other items were left outside the Kendall Community Op Shop for donation. 

The donors noticed on March 29 before opening hours that the barbecue and standard lamp were missing.

If possible the op shop volunteers would like people to bring donations to the shop during business hours.