News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
The Clay County Helping Hands Thrift Store announced the store will close Saturday while the board looks for someone to continue its operations.
Clay County Helping Hands Board Member Eric Copass said one of the main reasons to closing the thrift store is a lack of volunteers and high volume of hours worked. Copass said the majority of their volunteers are burnt out and do not feel comfortable working during the coronavirus.
“The lack of volunteers is a big issue,” Copass said. “We get so many donations in. Those have to be sorted, cleaned, tag and priced We have to be working working hours.”
Copass said the second reason for closing the thrift store was for the safety of the volunteers. Helping Hands changed their guidelines to an allowance system to help more people overall. People who needed help paying utilities or rent could only receive a certain amount of funds every six months. Copass said a small group of people became angry with the rule changes.
“We have had to call the law enforcement several times to come out and to remove people who are just being nasty and ugly and making threatening statements and threatening phone calls,” Copass said.
Copass said people use to take advantage of the funds available to them before the rule change. As a result, Helping Hands installed a security system and made sure multiple people worked at once to provide protection.
Even though the thrift store will be closing, Copass said Helping Hands saved enough money from donations and sales to continue the food pantry. Copass said he expects the food pantry to operate until the fall, but there will be a shortage in meat.
“The problem is food prices are going up,” Copass said. “Helping Hands works through the government and Second Harvest, and they are seeing a shortage.”
Copass said the thrift store may not be closed for good. The board is currently exploring other operators since John and Carol Carman stepped down. The store will host a closing sale June 4-6. Copass said all profits will go towards the food pantry.
“If this store closes, it is going to hurt a lot of people,” Copass said. “We are looking for someone to pick up the reigns and keep this running for our community.
