When most of us collect items to donate from our households, we usually do so for the personal benefit of decluttering. But have you ever considered how the items you donate may help their next owners, or how the items may be used to raise money for special causes? Symmes Township’s Clutter 2 Care Thrift n’ Gift was started with this consideration at heart.
In 2017, the Reagan family was preparing to be full-time missionaries in Haiti. They momentarily paused their preparation to pivot their efforts to a community-wide yard sale to raise funds for Back2Back Ministries and its staff members. They asked their neighborhood to clean out their basements and bring them clutter for the sale. After a couple of successful sale weekends, they raised $4,000 to send to their friends in Haiti.
“When it was complete, we thought we were done, but all our friends and family kept bringing us items to sell,” Clutter 2 Care Founder Laurie Reagan tells us.
Instead of uprooting to Haiti as planned, they decided to focus on humanitarian efforts in Cincinnati.
“As we prepared to make that move, the childhood poverty situation in Cincinnati revealed itself and we felt a strong pull to help our community,” Laurie explains.
After raising more than $40,000 in two years, Clutter 2 Care was officially incorporated and received their nonprofit 501(c)(3) status in 2019, with the storefront opening in 2020 in Symmes Square.
An all-volunteer-run organization, owners Laurie and Andy Reagan operate Clutter 2 Care with a weekly staff of 21 volunteers. They share profits with eight local and four international nonprofit groups to serve low-income, at-risk, marginalized children in our community and around the world.
So what can customers expect to find at Clutter 2 Care?
“Our products cross a wide range of items,” Laurie tells us. “Everything from adult and children's clothing to an extensive jewelry, shoe and purse collection.”
Shoppers will also find a wide selection of furniture, art, children's items, books, kitchen supplies and more.
Additionally, during the pandemic, Clutter 2 Care began offering Love Kits to schools and partner agencies to help school-aged children be clothed appropriately. These kits include 5-7 outfits, shoes, coats, new underwear, new socks and toiletries so students in need can quickly and proudly return to the classroom.
The best ways to help Clutter 2 Care are to donate gently used items and to shop at their store. Volunteer opportunities can be viewed on their website.
“Think of us before you pay retail prices,” Laurie recommends. “We usually have just what you need, when you need it!” Clutter2Care.com
“The childhood poverty situation in Cincinnati revealed itself and we felt a strong pull to help our community.”