Grand Bay, AL. Tri-Coastal Community Outreach today announced the grand opening date for their new social enterprise - Gifts & Thrift store. at 12851 Highway 90 South, Ste. 4 in Grand Bay for Monday, April 19, at 10 a.m. Join Mobile County public officials, local dignitaries and representatives from local social service agencies and media for this grand opening celebration.
The retail store features select gift items including special occasion gift baskets for Mother’s Day, new births, Easter, or any special requested type of basket, bath products, handbags, and figurines. The store also has clothing and shoes for men, women and children, jewelry and personal accessories, home furnishings, electronics, appliances, school uniforms, sports equipment, party decorations, furniture and toys for kids.
Stores hours are Tuesday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. with a volunteer staff. Cash and checks may be used for purchases.
The proceeds from this store benefit the programs and services that Tri-Coastal Community Outreach offers to the South Alabama and Mississippi communities. The organization is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, grassroots community that provides short-term and long-term outreach assistance to families in South Alabama and the Gulf Coast region community.
Thompson said that the organization is involved with not just meeting immediate needs, but the all-volunteer nonprofit is committed to teaching people how to take care of themselves and their families. “We reach out much farther through our programs and classes that will self-reliance in taking care of self, family members, homes and teaching preparedness for future disasters.
A case management approach is used to find long-term solutions for each individual and family who enters the doors of the center located at 10520 Highway 188 in Grand Bay, Alabama. “Every situation demands an individual assessment and plan,” said Thompson.
Their programs include:
The Pantry: Food is distributed weekly or monthly to individual and family clients who
require continued assistance with food, personal health care items and home cleaning
supplies. At Thanksgiving, selected low-income households are given food for Thanksgiving. Each year families are chosen to receive turkeys or whole hens to make there holiday meals complete. Recipients must fill out an application and be registered with the agency.
The School Box: Children are supplied with school supplies, uniforms and backpacks. In 2009, over 700 children were helped; an increase from 177 in 2008. Companies and groups donate school supplies, uniforms and backpacks during the year to provide the needed items that otherwise families could not afford and children would go to school without being prepared. Impoverished children deserve the same opportunity to return to school with adequate supplies equal to those of more privileged children.
Successful Start: Students from a low-income family who are eligible for college are given
supplies needed in setting up a dorm room for the first time. In return, students are required to commit 20 hours of community service at a non-profit of their choice. The volunteer hours must be completed with the first two years of their college tender.
Wings of Doves: Families are chosen from applications processed by case managers for Christmas gift distribution. Children are required to be present on the distribution date with their
parents and are given tickets to ‘select’ gifts for their holiday presents.
It’s All About You (IAAY): Students of all ages are given instruction in basic construction
skills from building foundations to repairing walls and roofs. Those who complete the workshops are rewarded with an extra incentive of a toolbox filled with tools donated by program supporters. These are tools that can be used to make needed repairs to their residence or assist in employment. The toolbox promotes the likelihood that clients will continue newly learn skills.
Over 10,000 individuals and families were served through the efforts of Tri-Coastal Community Outreach. “Each week, we have more families applying for assistance,”
“We are always looking for program sponsors, businesses partners to donate products, make cash donations, or people who want to become volunteers. The more we do, the more there is to do,” she concluded.
To RSVP for the grand opening, contact Tri-Coastal Community Outreach at (251) 865-9731 by April 14.
For more information on the programs or services, volunteer and donation opportunities, contact Tri-Coastal Community Outreach, Inc., at 251-865-9731.
