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Twenty organizations in Morden have been empowered to make a difference in the community thanks to the generosity of Morden Community Thrift Shop.
In what has become a tradition in Morden, representatives from the organizations that meet a diverse group of needs in the community gathered for the spring granting event.
The annual occurrence took place on June 9th and gave back $142,800 to the community.
The top grants
Among the organizations that received the top funding was Regional Connections Immigrant Services, which was granted $25,000 for the construction of a new building in Morden.
The next highest amount was given to Western School Division for its track and soccer field at École Discovery Trails School — Morden Community Thrift provided $20,000 to the project.
$15,000 also went to Menzies Medical Centre for doctor recruitment in the region. Both Morden Curling Club (for structural upgrades) and Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Pembina Valley (for mentorship funding assistance) received grants of $10,000.
A goal ‘to give to everyone’
For Kent Noel, the president of Morden Community Thrift Shop, the objective is always to grant to as many organizations as possible.
“We try to give to everybody who gives us an application,” he says. “Some might not get what they're asking for because we have budget constraints as well, but we try to do our best.”
When it comes to the number of applications this year, Noel says the figure “just shows the need in the community.”
Exciting news
Although grant season is already an exciting time for the Morden Community Thrift Shop, this year’s event was also accompanied by some further good news.
“I'm very excited to announce that we're actually putting up a second store,” says Noel. “The construction starts in July.”
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Noel says that the new store “has been a long process.”
“It’s about three years in the works of getting this going, and we finally finalized everything probably about six weeks ago,” he says.
According to Noel, the new store, which will feature an 8,000 sq. ft. floor space, will carry furniture, sporting goods, and electronics.
The new space will also open up room in the 5,000 sq. ft. original building for more housewares and clothing.
“It’s almost like building an expansion in the store as well,” he says, adding that the community’s support is instrumental in the new project.
“Without our donations, we’re not here,” he says.
Other organizations to receive grants
To see the other organizations that received grants from the flourishing Morden Community Thrift Store, see below.
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Katie Cares - $6,000 for their common room expansion.
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Morden Activity Centre - $5,500 for various workshops and a glass door refrigerator.
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Tabor Home - $5,000 to purchase a vehicle.
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Prairie Crossroads School - $5,000 for their music program.
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Manitou Ag Society - $5,000 toward a community centre upgrade.
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Morden Adult Education Centre - $5,000 for upgrading technology and enhanced learning program
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Morden Collegiate Safe Grad - $5,000 for financial support.
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Many Hands Resource Centre - $5,000 for food hampers and financial support.
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Child and Family Services of Manitoba - $5,000 to send children to camp.
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Morden Family Resource Centre - $2,600 for rent, insurance, and two programs.
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Morden and Area Christmas Cheer - $2,500 for financial support.
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Youth for Christ - $2,500 for an industrial dishwasher.
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500 Stephen Street - $2,500 for transportation vouchers.
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Rock Lake United Church Camp - $2,500 for kitchen upgrades.
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The Central Youth Choir - $2,000 for financial assistance.
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Prairie Soundscape - $1,700 for financial assistance.
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(At an earlier date) Morden Collegiate - $8,000 for scholarships for eight graduating students
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(At an earlier date) BTHC Foundation - $500 for outdoor flowerbeds.
A big thank you
The Morden Community Thrift Shop acknowledges the role of those who help make its grant season possible.
“Thank you to all those who donate items and shop at the thrift store, and thank you also to our volunteers who do a great job of sorting, cleaning, fixing, pricing and stocking the shelves,” says the organization.
With files from Robyn Wiebe
