SUNDRE – A now years-long local initiative that originally started out as a six-week, grassroots venture to provide a hand-up for people experiencing difficult times, is coming to an end.
As of Sept. 2, the Heart n Hand Creations and Gifts thrift store that branched out from the Neighbours Helping Neighbours program founded in 2013 by Shelley Kohut, will no longer be open.
“We’ve tried various things to try and keep the store alive,” Kohut said on Aug. 23 during a phone interview.
“We used to have the gift store, and then COVID really hurt that. And so we thought we’d try it as a thrift store,” she told the Albertan.
“We’re just not making enough to cover the expenses and then have anything left over to help people with,” she said, adding that paying proceeds forward into the community was the program’s whole intent.
“So, there was just really no point in keeping it open; we’ve been trying for two years,” she said.
“My accountant told me a long time ago to shut it down,” she said in response to being asked her thoughts on reaching this stage, adding she initially struggled to accept her bookkeeper’s suggestion.
“I didn’t listen,” she said, expressing regret over ultimately being faced with making the decision to dismantle the store as well as the program.
“I’m sad to see that the doors are shutting. I guess it’s the reality of the day,” she said.
Expenses were largely comprised of wages to employ local women to run the store, while rent amounted to only about $400 a month, she said, adding that auctions and thrift store sales just weren’t adequately covering costs with enough remaining to help out in the community.
“It’s my hope that maybe we’re closing the door on this, but that God will open another door,” she said. “There’ll be another way of being able to keep giving to the community, I’m sure.”
She did not, however, regret giving the store and program everything she could.
“It did still serve a benefit, but it’s just not meeting its mandate,” she said.
Taking it one day at a time for now, Kohut said she is not currently considering any specific ideas, but nevertheless remains optimistic about the possibility of an opportunity eventually presenting itself.
“We’ll see what else comes out of it,” she said.
Although she had not yet thought ahead to the coming winter, Kohut said she is also hopeful about possibly keeping the Coats for the Cold program going provided she can secure a location for the rack.
Regardless of what else the future may hold in store, she spoke confidently about the community’s giving nature.
“Sundre has a beautiful heart,” she said, adding people tend to be generous and step up to the plate when there’s a need.
Recognizing some people will miss Neighbours Helping Neighbours and Heart n Hand Creations and Gifts, Kohut expressed gratitude to everyone who throughout the years supported the auctions and different endeavours, as well as the generosity of some people who went above and beyond offering either cash donations or nice items.
“The community has definitely been a good support,” she said.
