A few talks over coffee hatched an idea to open a Chatham thrift store to help fund two organizations and aid those struggling with the high cost of living.
A few talks over coffee hatched an idea to open a Chatham thrift store to help fund two organizations and aid those struggling with the high cost of living.
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Brian Kivell, regional director of the local chapter of Safe Families Canada, said Phil Bultje, a long-time supporter of Eben-Ezer Christian School in Chatham, stopped by about six months ago to make a generous donation.
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Bultje asked, “Is this a constant issue for you guys, getting funding?” Kivell recalls.
Kivell responded it was because the charity gets no government money.
Asked if he’d never thought of opening a thrift store, Kivell replied, “Yes, every night when I fall asleep.” But Safe Families just didn’t have the ability to get a thrift store off the ground.
Bultje said getting it open wasn’t the hard part, it’s keeping it going and getting volunteers to run it, Kivell said, adding, “I think that’s the easy part.”
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“So, it was a good fit,” Bultje added.
After a partnership was officially formed following a few meetings over coffee, Kivell said Bultje “hit the ground running” getting the required permits and looking for a location.
There was a buzz of activity Friday morning as volunteers working to open Thrifters’ Nest by April 2, in the former Dutch Market building at William and Park streets in Chatham
Racks of clothing and shoes were up and furniture and other household items were ready to be arranged.
A consistent funding source will be a game-changer for Safe Families, which aims to help families in crisis stay together, Kivell said.
The local chapter launched during the COVID-19 pandemic and fundraising has remained a challenge, he said. Fortunately, Safe Families head office has supported the local chapter.
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“But this, Lord willing, is going to bring about a steady stream of income that’s going to sustain the ministry that we’re doing for years and years,” he said.
Thrifters’ Nest is a separate charity and board chair Rick DeBoer said its mission, spelled on the store’s sign, is families helping families. It aims to help ease the burden of inflation and rising living costs on struggling families.
“We want to help people who need help,” DeBoer said. “They can come in here and get some good quality products at a really good price.”
The focus is on having low prices to move product through, he added.
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