According to Jennifer Rawls, GRACE director of resale and operations, the new location will provide more space and allow the nonprofit to accept even more donations. The new donation center was funded by donors.
“This is just giving us an opportunity to really expand and help the community,” Rawls said.
In a press release announcing the new donation site, GRACE reported that since April 2020, the current donation center has seen lines of more than 200 cars per day.
The new location, which was originally expected to open in March 2020, saw its construction delayed due to COVID-19 as the organization shifted its focus from the project to helping those in need of local assistance.
Rawls said the new site will combine multiple GRACE services, including the client services department, which oversees the organization’s supply of clothing, shoes and home decor.
According to the press release, the volume of donors at the current donation center has increased by 67% in just the last few years.
“We've been so blessed by the community,” Rawls said. “They've been cleaning out their homes during COVID-19, and we've ... got great stuff for our families that are in need.”
The newest addition to the site plan for the new donation center includes two loading docks and a two-way entrance for donors to help reduce traffic. The drive up to the center will also be partially covered during the summer months.
“It should be ... a much better process," Rawls said. "We'll be able to get things inside much quicker."
