September at ECA

ECA’s Store Manager, Susan Smith, checks in. Email her at ecathriftshop@gmail.com

One of the things I love most about volunteering at ECA is offering our voucher program. Vouchers empower individuals and families to pick out 10 items each for free from ECA. We curently provide vouchers to 10 partner organizations.

Last winter a voucher client visited who had to leave her home right away to be safe. She was wearing high heels at the time she left and had been trying to stablize her life, going from agency to agency, with her high heels on. When she visited ECA, she immediately went to the shoes and found a great low boot in her size. She started crying at the relief of resting her feet and the two volunteers helping her teared up as well.

Our voucher program returned in June 2022 after COVID closures. For the 7 months we offered it in 2022, we gave away $6,955 worth of merchandise to 92 recipients. In 2023 through July, we have given $8,401 in merchandise value to 136 recipients. The need is great and we are honored to meet the demand.

Thanks to our donors who provide us with the merchandise we give away directly and that we sell to provide grant funds for our nonprofit partners. We couldn’t do it without you.