The Winkler MCC Thrift Shop is saying thank-you to the community for its unfailing support by giving back $36,000 to local charities this year.
On Monday, board member Dr. Don Klassen presented the first of several cheques set to go out this month; Genesis House received $5,000 and Gateway Resources $4,000.
“We budgeted a little higher this year,” he explained. “We work on requests from [non-profits] and then we take a look at the requests and allocate what we can.”
Also receiving $5,000 grants is Katie Cares, Central Station, and The Bunker, while $4,000 grants are headed to the Winkler Family Resource Centre, Faith Mission, and Sixteen13 Ministry.
In addition to the local grants, the thrift store raised upwards of half a million dollars for Mennonite Central Committee for its relief efforts around the world.
Though the store’s focus is on supporting the Christian agency’s international aid initiatives, the Winkler area grants are no less important, Klassen stressed.
“We’ve got 300 volunteers who show up faithfully to work. And we’ve got all those people who drop donations off at the back door,” he said. “And then we need our shoppers as well … so it involves a lot of people, and those people are local people.
“That’s why it’s important to us. We’re part of the community.”
All the recipient non-profits were selected based on the work they do for the community, Klassen noted, highlighting the work of both Gateway Resources and Genesis House.
“We think they’re both also so much part of the community and such worthy recipients,” he said. “And we feel the same way about the other groups on the list.”
Genesis House is grateful for the thrift shop’s support, said Sophie Gerbrandt, resource development manager for the shelter that provides safe haven for the victims of domestic violence.
“The needs at Genesis House continue to grow. We have about 44 per cent more women we’ve seen in the last year compared to the years prior,” she shared, explaining the grant will go towards ever-rising operating costs. “To continue to provide support services for women in the community, not just those emergency services, is huge. We’re learning more and more that ongoing support is what women need to not return to shelter, to stop that cycle, so these funds are huge for us.”
Gerbrandt noted the shelter’s relationship with the thrift shop goes well beyond these annual grants.
“I know for a lot of the local thrift stores, but MCC in particular, if we have women who are moving out of shelter and they’re needing some start-up things for their home, whether that be kitchen supplies or clothing, we can send our women over and get those items at no charge,” she said. “So that’s a huge help for us too, even if it’s not monetary. Being able to help set up people when they’re starting fresh means a lot, so we’re grateful for their support in that way as well.”
Gateway Resources will also be using its grant towards operating costs.
“Gateway also continues to grow,” said CEO Kim Nelson, gesturing behind her to the soon-to-open seniors housing and programming complex at 204 Main St. “And it’s a great thing, but without these funds, we wouldn’t be able to maintain the many buildings we do operate.”
Gateway works with intellectually challenged individuals in the community, providing them with life skills and residential support as well as gainful employment.
“We’re grateful for the local support,” Nelson said. “That is huge for our organization, and probably for many others as well.”
