I don’t have to extol the virtue of kindness in this preamble. Minnesotans read this magazine. They’re already onto kindness hook, line, and sinker.
But where, a good-spirited Minnesotan might ask, should one commit kindness? All around themself, at all times? Yes. And especially at The PROP Shop: the Eden Prairie nonprofit which supplies gently used clothing, furniture, cookware, and other household essentials to those who could really use a helping hand right about now.
You’ll find far more at The PROP Shop than the worthiest destination for stuff you no longer need, though. And I’m not talking about the retail store, which sells crème de la crème donations to fund the perpetual acquisition of new socks and underpants. I’m talking about the heart of our town’s volunteerism scene, which has been thump-a-lumping since its inception in 2007.
“We had first row seats to the Great Recession,” said Cindy Eddy, executive director of The PROP Shop. “Sadly, our neighbors’ need for kindness hasn’t died down much since then. We saw a 50 percent increase in clients in 2024 over the year before. We have helped an average of 300 families per month in 2025!
“But we get by with a little help from our friends. A lot of friends – around 800 volunteers per year who selflessly commit their time and energy to our donation center.
“Quite a few of our volunteers started out as shoppers. They asked to see The PROP Shop’s inner workings, and were blown away by its bustle and complexity. They also met several people who had forged lifelong friendships with like-minded philanthropists, and asked to sign up on the spot.
“Many of our volunteers are retired. Many just suffered the loss of a loved one, and need a social outlet outside of their homes. Many have recently taken a particularly salient religious lesson to heart. Several are our former clients, who, upon getting back on their feet, set land speed records coming back to where they can pay it forward. Around 20 percent of our volunteers are high schoolers, who are already eager to give back to the same wonderful community they’re blessed to grow up in.
“There’s really only one thing our volunteers share in common. They’re all just about the nicest human beings you could ever hope to meet.
“And you do meet such wonderful people working here. I think back to Ace, who, in her 90s, discovered a donated book that had once belonged to her father. Pat, who was so disappointed when she was no longer able to drive to our donation center, and so happy when one of our other volunteers doubly volunteered to take her to and fro. Another lady, formerly a client, who recently surprised everyone at the donation center with a Ziploc bag full of delicious cooked hot dogs.
“Of all our volunteers, none shines so brightly as Tyler. He had a disability and came with an aide. If you asked him what day it was, it would invariably be his birthday. If you asked him how he was doing, he would reply ‘I am lucky day.’ He was envious of his brother who wore a uniform for work, and so proud whenever he put on the official PROP Shop T-shirt. It gave him a sense of belonging. Of purpose.
“We were heartbroken when we lost Tyler to cancer. He sometimes needed help himself, but he knew what matters most: Be kind.”
The PROP Shop has served over 3,800 Eden Prairie and Chanhassen families in need since its inception nearly 19 years ago. Be it cash, goods, or time, your generous donation makes the world go round. PropShopEP.org
"We get by with a little help from our friends."