Salvation Army move one step closer

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Published on Friday, November 25, 2016

Submitted photo. The Beautiful Plains Community Foundation (BPCF) presented the Neepawa Salvation Army with a $15,000 grant to help with their move. From left: Amanda Naughton-Gale, community services representative at the Neepawa Salvation Army; Susan Phillips, chair of the Neepawa Salvation Army’s board of directors and BPCF board members Ian Thomson, John Lavich, Shelley Graham and Kate Jackman-Atkinson. The presentation took place in what will be their new store, located in the former Neepawa-Gladstone Co-op building.

By Kate Jackman-Atkinson

Neepawa Banner/Neepawa Press

With a major donation, the Neepawa Salvation Army Thrift Store came one step closer to its big move. On Nov. 14, local representatives accepted a $15,000 grant from the Beautiful Plains Community Foundation (BPCF) to aid in the purchase of their new space, located in the former Neepawa-Gladstone Co-op Grocery store.

The new space is 6,000 sq ft. and will offer 3,000 sq ft. of retail space, much more than their current 1,700 sq ft. location. Amanda Naughton-Gale, Community Services Representative at Neepawa Salvation Army Extention Unit, explains that the new space will also offer an improved sorting and delivery area, an improved food bank area, change rooms, office space, a staff room and a board room. 

Construction is expected to take about three months and they are aiming to open next spring. “The community is so excited,” explained Naughton-Gale of the move. The move has been in the works for close to three years and the BPCF’s grant was part of their 2015 commitments.

With the added space, Naughton-Gale said they will be able to accept and sell additional items, including larger items that they weren’t able to accommodate before.  The larger space will also increase ease of shopping, allowing for better displays and wider aisles.  They also hope to be able to create a drop in coffee corner, which would create a more permanent and accessible home for information about community resources.

Naughton-Gale explains that with the improved retail space, they are hoping to be able to raise more money and better fund their programs, such as the food bank, Christmas hampers and sending kids to camp. She adds that with additional funding, they are hoping to provide additional services, such as financial literacy education and a community kitchen. “It’s why we exist, to give back to the community,” she explained. 

In addition to the grant from the BPCF, the project also received $15,000 from FCC, $4,000 from United Way and many individual donations.  Naughton-Gale said that they are continuing to accept donations for both the move, as well as their programs in general.

Once the move is complete, Naughton-Gale said that their current store, located at 309 Davidson St, will be put up for sale.