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5. INFORMATIONMOLLY'S WORLD /THE CLOTHING EXCHANGE Helping ourselves while we help each other. One community at a time. The situation: Many families in our community and surrounding communities find themselves in need. Whether it's job loss, catastrophe, family breakdown, or some other unexpected event. In 2013, over 500,040 families (533,139 exactly) received SNAP benefits in 259,081 homes around Minnesota. These families and single parents all too often find themselves choosing between paying their mortgage or rent, buying basic human needs, or other expenses they may not be able to afford. While many times, this situation may be only temporary, others find themselves struggling to take care of their family's basic needs on a regular basis. These families and others in need may also find that they do not qualify for state assistance with little option for sustainability, many times not knowing what to do or where to turn. There are not many resources out there that provide quick and easy access to gently used clothing, baby equipment, and hygiene products without an application or interview process. While there are programs available to provide these needs, many times they are on a limited basis or cannot meet the need completely. Many of us may find ourselves asking "how does this affect me? I'm not in need." But, poverty and economic hardship affects us ail. You may have a co- worker who is a single parent that is doing all they can to make ends meet. You may also think that you don't know anyone in this situation. Think again. When not being able to meet the needs of themselves or their families, it wreaks a devastating effect on all involved. Being economically deprived is not something many care to share with others or be public about. Molly's World/ The Clothln_q Exchange - A Community Response. Communities all over Minnesota are finding the needs of families and people of unsettled times are more prevalent than realized. There are many programs around the city, county, and state that provide for individuals and families in need. Here in Elk River, there are options for individuals and families in need, such as, CAER, Samaritan Way Food bank, many of the local churches and other organizations. Moll 's World / The Clothing Exchange is a 501(c)3 Non - Profit Organization locally based in Elk River that has been providing clothing, small housewares, basic hygiene products, baby needs, and toys to families in need by having them use their items they are no longer needing, as a form of "payment" to trade for the things they DO need. By letting families use the items they are no longer in need of, to "buy" the things they do, they are not having to give up the one commodity they may not have, money. This also helps families feel like they are helping themselves by obtaining the items they need without having to ask for help. People are able to shop at the store we have set up in my basement while we look at their items, count them, and give them a credit for every item we take. This also enables the clients to build up credits to use at a later time, especially when they may be in a bind. We are currently looking for a retail location out in the community and out of my basement. We feel that if we are out in the community, we would be able to better meet the needs of MORE families and individuals of Elk River and the surrounding communities by providing clothing and other immediately needed items. We would also like to be considered a resource for the community to utilize on an immediate basis with no "red tape ". We currently offer immediate assistance on referral either from our other clients, county agencies, the city of Elk River, and other 501(c)3 organizations in Elk River, by appointment only, as my space is very limited on how many individuals we can help at one time. Our History Molly's World / The Clothing Exchange was founded in 2013 after the birth of my daughter, Molly. Molly was born with Down's syndrome. I didn't know Molly was going to be born with Down 's syndrome. That moment changed my life forever. In more ways than I could have ever imagined. I knew I was going to have to do something extraordinary to make sure she has the most amazing life possible. It also made me realize how fortunate I was to have this healthy, joyous gift in my life. I thought I would need to do something to pay it forward to help others who may not be so fortunate. About a year earlier, I had approached my sister in law about the idea of getting our friends and family together to participate in a clothing exchange. My husband and have 6 children altogether and what a blessing something like that could be to not only my family, but the families we would come in contact with. After talking it over for some time, we decided to put it on the back burner, as we couldn't come up with a fair and organized way to do it. Once Molly was born, I approached my mother, who lives in the basement of my house, about allowing me to set up a few clothing racks in her living room, for others to bring their clothing to even trade for trade these items. (Any items we are not interested in taking for The Clothing Exchange, we give them the option of donating them to any of the other non - profit or local agencies in Elk River and surrounding communities.) After my mother so graciously agreed, The Clothing Exchange was born. As I started putting my plan in place, I realized how easy it would be to start collecting the clothing that other families are no longer needing, and donate them to those who do. I decided to then "open it to the public" by making a Facebook page and inviting others to participate. As I realized how big this idea really was, I decided to really take this seriously. I approached the Elk River Lions Club about sponsoring me for a 501(c) 3 Non Profit Corporation registration, and they graciously accepted. That was 1 year ago and over 1100 people later. Out of my garage, office and basement, we have donated over 6 tons of clothing, shoes, textiles and bedding to over 1000 people state wide and to the Philippines. As well as numerous families in the community, foster system, domestic violence advocacy, and local homeless organizations. We also donate on a regular basis to 2 of the largest homeless shelters in Minneapolis. Since we really have outgrown my house, I realized we could really do more to help the community by getting out of my home and into a retail location that anyone could patronize. After seeing the amount of need I was able to fill out of just the basement of my home, I decided it was necessary to: 1. Establish a location in the Elk River community to create a Community Outreach Center for anyone in need or looking for an alternative way to provide items of necessity for themselves and their families. We have approached other agencies and organizations in the community to use our Community Outreach Center as their exclusive provider of items for families and individuals in need. We are currently BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. if we were able to provide service to anyone during set hours, we would be able to accommodate so many other's needs. 2. Expand to other surrounding communities other than Elk River. The services we offer are not offered at any other thrift store, outreach, church or any other retail establishment. Our core team is comprised of volunteer clients, friends, and family who are passionate about helping others and are always finding ways to improve the lives of others. Efforts are currently underway to establish relationships with local schools and other organizations to be a place where people can fill assigned volunteer hours as well as identifying ways to meet more specific needs of families and individuals in the community. We are also working towards being an established location to notify, educate and receive services and goods that may not otherwise be known or available. VISION Empower families and individuals experiencing hardship by helping them help themselves. We would like to change the "thrift" industry by recycling and using what we already have to meet our needs. MISSION Our mission is to provide a place where people and individuals with need can acquire the items they are in need of while keeping their respect intact. CORE VALUES /CONCEPTS We will continue to help people in need no matter what the circumstance through charitable donation and offer repayment by accepting volunteer time in the center. This will provide our client with a sense of self - worth, pride, and giving back. We will partner with other resources in the community to provide the most efficient and needed services and goods. We will continue to educate and provide the people of the community without judgment. We believe in our community and will continue to nurture the members in it. The mechanics of our operation work as follows: - People bring in their clothing, accessories, small household items, baby /children equipment, and other previously approved items they are no longer using. - They are given a "credit" for every item The Clothing Exchange takes. They are able to build up as much "credits" as they like. It's like a refillable gift card. They can continue to build their credits. - They are able to take those credits and use them as "cash" on certain items in the shop. They are able to purchase necessities and other items they may not be able to afford. (Clothing, hygiene items, coffee makers, shoes.... Ect.) - They are limited to only being able to use up to 20 credits daily. if they are still interested in other items they are able to purchase them for a substantially reduced rate as compared to many other outlets. - We take in outright donations of monetary value as well as items that are no longer being used. (We do not except furniture, large electronics and computers.) - Since we do take in many out right donated items, we are able to keep the prices low based on quantity as opposed to keeping on the shelves longer to receive a higher dollar amount. - We have applications individuals can fill out on behalf of a family or other individual who is /are in need of assistance. Once we establish the need, the parties involved will be welcome to come pick out an "assistance package" from a menu of choices. They will range from a basic hygiene package to clothing outfitted to an entire family along with small housewares and other items someone who has experienced catastrophe would be in need of. - We will continue assisting the other agencies and organizations of this community and any others who contact us for assistance. - We offer the opportunity for members of the community to volunteer and give back. We also welcome individuals that are in need of volunteer / community service hours to fill. Programs for the community Molly's World 1 The Clothing Exchange will offer a welcoming and non - judgemental location where families and individuals can obtain items of basic need as well as referrals for other needed services by trading items they are no longer using, for items they need. As well as having an option to purchase items at a seriously discounted rate. Knowing that many families in the community may be just over the limit for social services and other programs, we do not require proof of income or a lengthy application process. We are a "very little red tape" organization and will continue to operate that way. We will provide items that many times members of our community cannot afford. We are also offering a referral program that allows individuals to nominate a family or community member for an anonymous donation drop of the items they are in need of. We will continue to create and provide more diverse and educational ways to provide for the community and its members. Our intention is to continue to provide the following items: Immediate needs: - clothing - shoes - baby needs (diapers, formula /food, baby essentials) - school supplies - small baby equipment - coats - accessories - bedding - seasonal needs Services: - awareness of other charitable organizations, educational resources, and other programs - community support - volunteer opportunities - textile and small item recycling - item donation FIRST YEAR OF OPERATION: - Secure a facility that is a match for our organization and the needs of the community. (Center is open Monday — Friday 10 — 7, Saturday 9 — 5, Sunday 12-4.) - Continue our Fiscal Agent Sponsorship with Rivers of Hope as well as establish relationships with other charities and organizations. - Cover expenses through local donations from individuals, businesses and organizations, continue the use of our refuse collection program, and sell items at an extremely affordable price. General Hydroponics Flora seriesAnticipated: Rent — 1 000 Utilities -300 Internet -50 Fixtures -300 (All figures are approximations and not representative of actual costs.) - Establish essential service / referral links with local providers in Elk River and the surrounding communities. SECOND YEAR OF OPERATION: (in addition to our ongoing first year activities...} In addition to donations, we will develop fundraising events and apply for grant funding. Open a second location in a surrounding community that is in need of an outreach center. Turning enough profit to be able to make monetary donations to other organizations. Molly's World / The Clothing Exchange A 501 (c) 3 Corporation Julianne (Julie) Will President 1 Executive Director Molly's World 602 -540 -0051 mollysworld2014(c�gmail.corn