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C.O.R.C. store in Potsdam looks for help during tough times

Posted 11/25/14

To the Editor: For over forty years the C.O.R.C. (Council of Religious Concern) Thrift Store has been and continues to be a vital part of our Potsdam community and the surrounding area. Located at 8 …

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C.O.R.C. store in Potsdam looks for help during tough times

Posted

To the Editor:

For over forty years the C.O.R.C. (Council of Religious Concern) Thrift Store has been and continues to be a vital part of our Potsdam community and the surrounding area. Located at 8 Willow Street in Potsdam, the C.O.R.C. Store opened its doors in 1973 when the area churches saw this mission as one that needed filling.

The store provides good quality used clothing for low prices and has recently been able to further their recycling efforts by offering the community a place to bring ‘beyond use’ clothing , shoes, pocket books, belts, linens, curtains and comforters.

Although the CORC Store’s most visible service is through clothing and recycling, it serves the community in a variety of other lesser-known ways. Working with the Red Cross, Helping Hands, the Neighborhood Center, Canton-Potsdam Hospital Rehab, and area schools, churches and day care facilities, the C.O.R.C. Store offers vouchers to people in need.

In 2013, the store filled 138 vouchers (covering 234 people) for free clothing totaling $5,785.00 at the thrift store’s prices. On a monthly basis, $400-$500 of clothing is given out, through the vouchers, at no cost to people in need or the organization issuing the vouchers.

400 Holiday Fund gift certificates for families in need and seniors in Potsdam, and 150 Holiday gift certificates to the Norwood-Norfolk-Raymondville Outreach program were given out last year. Through special sales during the year, customers can buy clothing for $.25-$.50 providing additional savings to stretched budgets and allowing the store to move inventory. Infant’s clothing sizes 0-24months is donated to the Gabriel Projects of St. Mary’s Church in Potsdam and St. Mary’s Church in Canton. The CORC Store supplies rags to the Potsdam Dept. of Public Works and auto repair shops. Non-wearable wool is recycled to area crafters and stuffed animals to a local holiday program.

With much gratitude the Board of Directors acknowledges the wonderful work of their staff and volunteers, past and present, and for the many, many people who have supported the store throughout the years. In 2013, 45 volunteers gave 1,025 hours of their time to help the CORC Store’s small but dedicated staff keep the store running smoothly while offering friendly, supportive and caring service.

The economic down turn has had an effect on the C.O.R.C. Store as well as so many other not for profit and retail businesses. In order to find a larger location and increase accessibility, the store building has been put on the market and the Board of Directors is looking for a new location. In order to continue as a viable business as well as a far reaching community service, the C.O.R.C. Store has been forced to cut back the hours and salaries of the staff that has served them so well.

The Board of Directors is reaching out to the community for support. They ask for your help in continuing their multifaceted service. Please support the C.O.R.C. Store through your donation of good quality used clothing. Bring in your sorted recyclables.

Also needed are boxes of 13-gallon bags for storing and recycling goods. Shop at the store and experience the quality and value offered. Volunteers are always needed; for more information call 265-3940. Please consider a financial donation to continue and expand the work of this proven resource.

One exciting new change is that as of late September, the store has been accepting debit and credit card payments. Another recent addition is the new door on the drop-off bin, that allows for drop-off donations 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Clothes donated for sale at the store need to be clean and in good saleable condition, folded in a 13- gallon trash bag and tied; a good guideline is ‘if you won’t wear it because of its condition, we can’t sell it’. However, the CORC Store can recycle ‘beyond use’ clothing, shoes, pocket books, belts, linens, curtains and comforters. These items, and these items only, can also be brought to the store in tied 13-gallon trash bags labeled as ‘RECYCLE’; they must be free of strong odors (please wash if dirty or smoky) and free of any dampness that could cause mildew. These regulations are important to follow but offer a wonderful way to reduce garbage and take advantage of an excellent way to recycle. Please keep recyclables and clothes for sale in separate bags.

The CORC Thrift Store is open 11 a.m. through 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Jane Wells

C.O.R.C. Thrift Store, Potsdam