Business has been booming at the Morden Community Thrift Store over the past few months. And thanks to that success, the store was able to give away an impressive $268-thousand on Monday for its 2024 spring giving.
President of the Morden and Community Thrift Store, Kent Noel, says sales are continually rebounding after the COVID slowdown.
"We've had tremendous sales in the last few months and it's all because of our community being able to donate to us and our volunteers doing the hard work, getting it ready, cleaning it up, and getting it out on the floor."
Noel says it's heartwarming, to see all the smiling faces when they can give back. "There's a lot of hard work that goes into doing what we do, and this is the reward of it. It's a blessing to do this for the community."
The Thrift Store rarely denies a request for funding. Noel said he can only recall that happening when applications have come in from outside their jurisdiction.
Noel said it's a big process going through the applications.
"We have a budget that we have to work with. I've said in the past, that our hospital, our fire department, and our police department they're high priorities on our list. Those are the first ones we look at, and we have to break it down little by little. But, we try to give everybody something, if we can."
Awarded requests for the Thrift Store's 2024 spring giving:
Boundary Trails Health Centre - $45 000 - for medical equipment
STARS Air Ambulance - $35 000 - for financial assistance
Menzies Medical Centre - $30 000 - for various needed items
Morden Fire & Rescue - $25 000 - for the purchase of breathing apparatuses
Western School Division (Discovery Trails School - École Discovery Trails) - $ 20,000 - The second installment of a five-year commitment totaling $ 100,000 for the track and soccer field.
Morden Police Service - $15 000 - for a hydraulic breach
South Central Cancer Resource - $10 000 - for financial assistance
Many Hands - $ 8,000 - for food vouchers
The following nine organizations each received $ 5,000.
Tabor Home - for their mural project and walking path
Youth for Christ - Program funding assistance
Pembina Counseling Service - counseling assistance
500 Stephen Street, Morden School Aged Programming, and Morden Citizens on Patrol - for financial assistance
Morden Handi-Van - Assist with new van purchase
École Morden Middle School - wheelchair access play structure
Katie Cares - New beds
The Darlingford Fire Department - $ 4,000 - For fire and rescue suppression equipment
The following each received $3,000
Pembina Valley Humane Society - New washer and dryer
Morden Family Resource Centre - Programming support
Regional Connections - For newcomer drop-in support
Receiving $2,500 each
Pembina Valley Pregnancy Care Centre - For supplies
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Pembina Valley - For mentorship programs
Douglas Kuhl School of Music - For string ensemble
Morden Christian Programming - For sound equipment rental the Morden Corn and Apple
Receiving $2,000
Central Manitoba Choral Association - For travel assistance
Pembina Climate Action Network - For financial assistance
Before Monday, $8,000 was given out to the Morden Collegiate Institute for upcoming scholarships.