R-M staff
Since the Society of St. Vincent DePaul has announced their planned expansion of their thrift store, the question is being asked, “Why now?”
Data reveals an urgent need for increased support in the community, as requests for aid have surged by approximately 15 percent each year for the past three years.
According to Andy Graf, Society president, “To increase its capacity to meet the higher need, the urgency grows to expand our all-volunteer thrift store, which generates the funding to help our neighbors-in-need. We have no more room at our present location. The former Colonnade building at 312 N. Jackson Street provides great space to start and enough vacant land to build an addition which will meet the needs of the Society for many years.”
Another pressing issue is that the Society of St. Vincent DePaul does not own the present thrift store or their warehouses. Through generous arrangements, they have been able to utilize these spaces for years. With the recent loss of usage of one of their two warehouses, it has become apparent that more permanent facilities need to be established.
The vision for many years has been to one day have the thrift store, warehouse, and distribution center at one site. According to Graf, “This vision has now grown from a ‘want’ into a ‘need’. After much thought and prayer, the decision has been made to take a giant ‘leap of faith’ and move forward, so that we will be able to continue to help our neighbors-in-need for many years to come.”
