Crisis Society partners with Katy’s Consignment

Shannon LeClair  

Times Reporter       

 

Katy’s Consignment Boutique and the Community Crisis Society have partnered to offer a new way of donating women’s items to the shelter. 

“We have been totally overwhelmed with the donations. This community is so generous, but we’ve found we have also had to start some new policies,” said Program Manager Penny Glenn. 

Because donations require so much labour and storage, and is a huge project for volunteers and staff to manage, the society was looking at others ways to keep just essentials at the shelter, so that if a family comes in with nothing, there’s items there that they can use immediately. Those essential items are new pajamas, underwear, socks, hoodies, yoga pants, and sweatpants, clothing that’s a little more forgiving when it comes to having the right size.

Glenn said that winter jackets will always be welcome, but women’s clothing, purses, jewelry, and shoes are becoming difficult to store and so the partnership was created. 

“Ladies clothing actually comprises a big part of the inventory at shelter and its one of the things that is really needed as well,” said Glenn. 

“So we have partnered with Katy’s and we will be able to send over our ladies clothing, kind of as it comes in, but more than that we’ll be able to have donors go directly to Katy’s Consignment and leave their clothes, shoes, purses, jewelry and the credit can be applied to the shelter account now.” 

Katy’s will accept up a limit of 15 clothing items per week, and an unlimited number of purses, shoes and jewelry. The items must be clean, wrinkle-free and in excellent condition. Donors need to mention they are dropping the items off for the Wheatland Shelter. They will be inspected to make sure they meet the consignment requirements.

 Proceeds from the sales for items purchased from the shelter’s inventory will go into their account. When the clients require clothing or items past the essentials they will be able to go shopping and pick out exactly what they like and need, using money from the shelter’s account. 

This will bring a sense of normalcy to the women during what can be a scary, and overwhelming time. Confidentiality is also assured because anyone could be shopping there.

“It’s a huge benefit, we believe, to our clients and the community and we feel really good about it,” said Glenn. 

When Katy and Betty Webster, owners of Katy’s Consignment were approached with the idea they knew it was something they wanted to be a part of. 

“The community has been so supportive of our little adventure here, that it’s a good way to give back to the community,” said Betty. 

“I like the idea of somebody coming here and shopping from the women’s shelter picking out (items).”

Items not sold will eventually be donated to the Women in Need Society (WINS) in Calgary. A list of donations needed, and items that will never be accepted, can be found by going to www.strathmoreshelter.com.