That’s the whole meaning of life, isn’t it? Trying to find a place for your stuff.
– George Carlin
READER – please go and look at your stuff. Take note of the clothes you haven’t worn in ages. The pots and pans that haven’t touched a burner since Brad and Jennifer were an item. The countertop appliances and furniture and bedding and dishes and shoes that someone could use – but not you.
Here is what I propose doing:Give that stuff to a neighbor who needs it. Not tomorrow. Not the day after. Today. Or tomorrow, or the day after. Whatever’s convenient. Just so long as you donate it to The PROP Shop of Eden Prairie, you’ll do good.
“By the time this article comes out, we’ll have served over 4,000 client families and given away almost as many beds,” said Cindy Eddy, executive director. “We have over 750 families at any given time. Single mothers. The working poor. Refugees who came to this country with only the shirts on their backs. Anyone in need of the material goods that should come standard with residence in the First World is welcome at The PROP Shop.
“It’s easy to bring a bunch of gently used necessities to our donation center and never think about them again. Let me emphasize that point one more time: It’s easy! But sadly, that does mean most of our donors will never realize just how great an impact they’re making.
“That’s why I consider myself blessed. I get to see it every day.
“Any gift of clothing could be life changing. Just the other day, we welcomed a couple who were planning on getting married – in two hours! Like in a scene from Cinderella, our volunteers scoured the store to assemble their ensembles. He looked sharp in a new blazer and tie. She, like a dream in a matching white dress and shawl, and, thanks to one of our fashionable and felicitously sized donors, a ring that fit perfectly. One of our volunteers, a former floral designer at Bachman’s, put together a bouquet. We even had a lovely dress for the mother of the bride, with the bridal store’s tag still on it.
“Our donors’ clothing also helps people work. If someone can’t afford the interview clothes they need to get a job because they don’t have a job, then we’ll lift them out of their paradoxical conundrum. People who already have jobs yet still struggle to make ends meet are no less welcome. One time, a man came to work on our own ceiling. His boots were totally shredded, but as fortune would have it, we had a new pair in his size in stock.
“He later explained that he had donated all of his savings to members of his church who didn’t have food. But no more of him. I don’t want to cry.
“If you have any tools that could be of use to someone in the trades, please bring them here. It will fuel the economy with perfect efficiency. Thanks to Amazon, whose Shakopee distribution center sends us otherwise pristine goods in damaged packaging, we were able to give a local handyman a whole bunch of something called ‘Liquid Nails.’ I’d thought it was to do with mani-pedis, but he seemed to know better.
“Children, of course, are the heartwarmingest of all. I’ve seen little kids beside themselves to get new beds, backpacks, school clothes, and sneakers with Bluey or Spider-Man on them. Our annual winter coat distribution is a definite high point. Each child gets to choose between six different coats – mostly new, all clean – as well as boots, mittens and snow pants. We give out winter clothing well ahead of winter. Even so, I’ve watched more fully coated children blithely skipping out into sweltering heat than I can count.”
Your donations help The PROP Shop! So too does your patronage at their resale store, where choice items are sold to raise money for underwear, socks, diapers, and other goods few people would ever think to donate. Bring stuff to 15195 Martin Drive, Eden Prairie 10am-3pm Tuesday through Saturday, or visit PROPShopEP.org to learn more.