Sometimes those who help others, need a little help themselves.
Help is exactly what the New Germany Free Store is looking for as they head into their second year of operation.
last year, New Germany Elementary and New Germany Rural High opened The Free Store, a community outlet providing free food, clothes and living supplies to families struggling to make ends meet.
Jennifer McMullen, principal for New Germany Rural High, said the store is regularly used by students and community members in need, but in order to keep it running, they are asking for a little help.
“We’re noticing the shelves are being depleted more quickly than we are able to add more items on there,” she said.
“So were looking for community organizations to hopefully step up and help us out.”
The store quickly became vital for many families suffering through rough times, so the thought of running out of supplies or it possibly shutting down is frightening to McMullen.
She hopes the schools’ plea to the community for any help they can get to keep it running will be heard.
“Were needing to get that free store full again,” said McMullen.
“Because we do have families who are accessing it on a regular basis, so we are just looking for ways to keep the store stocked and ensure it will stay open for years to come.”
Making A Difference, One Pizza At A Time
Meanwhile, a Bridgewater company has used the power of free pizza to gather donations for the store.
Over the long weekend, Jessy’s Pizza held a promotion in support of the new Germany Free Store – Bring in a winter coat and get a free large pie.
Owner Jeff Landry said he didn’t expect much of a turn out and thought he would be collecting donations all winter.
Fortunately, he was wrong.
“It completely blew my mind,” he said.
“We ran around in here like absolutely crazy for four days just throwing pizzas out the door, but it was such a wonderful atmosphere. I was getting just bags of stuff donated.”
The promotion was an instant success, with a corner of the restaurant being filled with bags of donations each day.
When he wrapped up the promotion on Tuesday, Landry and his staff made over 150 trades, resulting in more than five car loads of donated winter clothing for the free store.
Landry’s kids attend school in New Germany, so when he heard the Free Store needed help, he felt he could do much more than just donate money.
“You know, all the money I spent on ingredients would have been wonderful to do as a donation,” he said, “But I ended up with ten times the value that I possibly could have gone and purchased in used winter clothing with the money that I invested.”
He said the amount of support he received from the community far outweighed his expectations, and recommended other companies step up and do the same to help support the Free Store.
Although the trading promotion wrapped up, Landry is still collecting any donations dropped off, and will be taking them to the schools regularly.
As for what is needed in the store, McMullen said, “Any item you can think of that is needed to live.”
Reported by: Cody McEachern
E-mail: mceachern.cody@radioabl.ca
Twitter: @CodyInHiFi
Donations can be dropped off at either New Germany Elementary or Rural High.
Items needed include:
– Non Perishables
– Condiments
– Canned Items
– Household Items
– Baby Items
– Clothing Essentials for kids, teens and adults
