The Caring Place will be offering expanded hours going into summer for its donations drive through, located at 2000 Railroad Avenue. Drop off will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday to match the nonprofit’s thrift store hours.
“The Caring Place has not been able to expand donation hours fully since early 2020 due to the many challenges of the pandemic,” Executive Director Ginna O’Connor said. “We are excited that we can now say most of our programs, services and general activities at The Caring Place are back to pre-pandemic levels, or at least close to it.
“We are thankful for an increase in volunteers and to our staff for making continuous improvements in the last three years which make it possible to increase donation hours.”
The Caring Place is a Georgetown nonprofit and service organization that, since 1985, has provided basic needs and support to people in the Georgetown, Andice, Bartlett, Florence, Granger, Jarrell, Jonah, Schwertner, Walburg and Weir communities, as well as parts of Hutto.
The Caring Place accepts items for its thrift store items like clothing and household goods, as well as non-perishable food pantry items including canned meats, vegetables, fruits, soups and hygiene items. More information can be found at www.caringplacetx.org/how-to-help/get-involved-overview.html.
“Sometimes friends forget that when we donate items to a non-profit thrift store like The Caring Place that the items do more than clothe someone in need," Ms. O’Connor said. "When a neighbor is in crisis, clothing or other household goods that can be vouchered might be the least of their worries. We have found that selling items to support our operations allows 100 percent of every donated dollar to help provide direct services and financial relief.
"In addition, it means the entire community can benefit from the affordable prices in our thrift stores. In fact, The Shops at The Caring Place might be the only place in town that has maintained its low prices this past year. Quality shirts and blouses for men and women have been $3 for quite some time.”
Editor's note: The version of this story that appeared in the May 10 print edition of the Sun mistakenly cut off the final quote from Executive Director Ginna O’Connor. This version of the story has been updated to correct the quote.