A few months ago, Denise Currie thought her store, The Giving Closet, with free items for low-income people, would close by Christmas. But after media outlets, including The Columbian, shared her plight, community members’ donations came flooding in.
Currie says the store will stay open until at least March.
“I can breathe,” she said. “We’ve been saved.”
The store’s financial troubles began after a series of hardships earlier this year. A prominent private donor of the nonprofit decided to invest in a new ministry. A 10-year commitment from a business sunsetted. An online fundraiser for the nonprofit raised a fraction of the money it usually did. Lastly, the store has declined a grant it desperately needed.
But a wave of donations, mostly from individuals, has kept the store afloat longer than expected, Currie said.
“I can’t stress enough how much our community has been so generous,” Currie said. “We’re very, very thankful.”
Jody Allworth, who has volunteered at The Giving Closet since it opened 23 years ago, is happy the store will remain open for the winter. She said this is the time of year when people need warm clothes, and parents can get toys to give for holiday gifts.
“Christmastime is tough on a lot of the people that come to the closet, and if we can do things to help make it easier or make it joyful for them and their kids during this time, it just makes you feel good,” she said.
Currie said she’s grateful her paid staff won’t be out of a job and that her volunteers can continue their work.
More families than usual have been making appointments to shop at The Giving Closet and to receive food from the Clark County Food Bank stocked at the store.
Volunteer Bonnie Harvey has noticed the increase.
“It gets busier when it gets colder. A lot of people have a lot more need,” Harvey said.
On Dec. 18, some of The Giving Closet’s shoppers can bring their children to an event where they can pick out toys for Christmas.
“A lot of these families that are lower income can still give their kids a nice holiday with new items,” Harvey said.
Allworth said she’s grateful the community came together to help save the store. She remembers a sinking feeling watching people shopping when the store was expected to close soon.
“I would look at them and think, ‘What are they going to do without us?’ We meet their basic food and clothing needs and provide social and emotional support. … It breaks your heart to think about them not having that in their lives anymore.”
Currie is hopeful about the future with the store secure for a few months longer than expected.
“That gives us time next year to develop new fundraising strategies and apply for some grants. It has helped us out a lot,” she said.