Heywood health workers create first free thrift store for Gardner community
GARDNER ― Heywood Hospital community health workers are pushing back against the stigma that comes with food pantries and clothing drives by organizing the first all-free thrift shop event on Friday, April 14 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Gardner Middle School cafeteria.
All clothes, shoes, accessories and hygiene products are free. Bags will be provided at the event and there is no limit to how many items can be brought home. Different sizes for adults, children and toddlers will all be available.
Gardner Middle School's health worker, Macy Ghilardi, partnered with several Gardner High and Middle school staff members, along with the Gardner High health worker Joslyn Houle, to collect donations for the event. Heywood Hospital's community health workers (CHW) are placed in local Gardner schools to help students and their families with financial issues, food, clothing, fuel assistance, and finding support groups.
Ghilardi said Middle School Principal Arthur Murphy and Gardner Schools Superintendent Mark J. Pellegrino are enthusiastic about the event.
Why is Gardner Public Schools hosting a free thrift store event?
Ghilardi said health workers noticed that Gardner residents were in need of help with housing and clothes, which prompted Ghilardi to come up with the free thrift store. She said she wanted to give families the opportunity to stock up on spring and summer clothes before the weather starts to warm up.
"We know some people might be self-conscious when they go to clothing drives, but we totally want to make this an open experience, just like if you were going to the thrift store," she said. "That's why I chose to call it a free thrift store event instead of a clothing drive because unfortunately there is a stigma."
Ghilardi wants this event to be as comfortable as possible for anyone who needs clothes. Volunteers will greet visitors at the door and count how many people are attending but no one's name or information will be collected. The count will be used by Ghilardi and other CHWs to determine if another free thrift store event is needed for the winter season and in the future.
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Positive community support
Ghilardi said the Gardner community had a positive reaction to the thrift shop event and dozens of residents have supported the event by donating large amounts of items.
"We have received an overwhelming amount of clothes from the community. Tons of expensive clothing and stuff in really great condition," she said. "It's really heartwarming because a lot of people forget that we're a tight-knit community and with all of the donations that we have I think we're going to have a full cafeteria."
The thrift store is no longer accepting donations. Ghilardi said community members who were not able to donate items should look out for another one this fall or winter season. They are looking for clothes, shoes and accessories in good condition. All hygiene products, underwear and socks have to be brand new to be accepted.
This article originally appeared on Gardner News: Heywood Hospital organizes free thrift shop at Gardner Middle School
