PGC OUTREACH FOUNDER
We are excited to introduce Cedar Valley Thrift and Outreach, a non-profit organization that helps people in the Cedar Valley community with basic necessities for survival, either for free or at an affordable cost. We are not connected to any religious programs and we are supported by the community.
I was raised by my grandma who is still living at the age of 95. We used to go to thrift stores, and there was one in particular: St. Vincent de Paul that was more than a thrift store, it was geared toward outreach. St. Vincent de Paul helped families in crisis situations by offering access to food, clothing, household items, basic utilities and more, but it has since closed it's doors. There were no other organizations or businesses that filled the gap, so I woke up one morning and decided I was going to open up a thrift-store/outreach center.
I took my 401(k), locked in a physical space, reached out to the Cedar Valley community for donations, and now we have a thrift store selling things at affordable prices. We also offer a food pantry and job center, consisting of a computer, and a fax machine so we can do on onboarding. Our business is more than a thrift store, it is also therapeutic, as we have some people come in and work in our space. I work with other outreach services that are making a difference in our community - including a program that takes care of shopping needs for those who are disabled and those who are elderly. I am proud of the training program we are planning to launch tentatively this year.
Affordable items will be sold and community members in need will receive clothing, household items, and hygienic products. Other resources will be reached out to if the store doesn't have what's needed.
Organizations can purchase vouchers for their members to buy items they need for everyday living.
No cost shopping for seniors and disabled individuals to get what they need
Non-perishable food items will be stocked, and people in need can come and get something to make a meal for their families.
A place to search for jobs, work on resumes, find places to live, and send faxes at a low cost.