For the past five months, donations to Milwaukee’s Salvation Army thrift stores have dropped significantly. The organization is now “in desperate need of clothing and households,” according to a press release.
“We do not receive any outside funding, all of it comes through the store and not having enough product in the stores means we don’t get enough income to fund our program,” says Brendon Robertson, the administrator of the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center, a 90-bed facility Downtown for those struggling with addiction and homelessness. It offers a 6-12 months recovery program at no cost to the participants.
Donations to Milwaukee’s Salvation Army (324 N. Jackson Street) are processed and sent to thrift stores around the metro area. Money from the stores is used to fund the rehabilitation center. Robertson says that donations are urgent now because with the continuing lack of thrift store inventory, they will not be able to fund the rehabilitation program.
“I’m going to be honest, I can’t answer why [there is low inventory], I’m honestly not sure,” Robertson says. “It seems that a number of our centers around the Midwest are having challenges in getting donations. Again, if I don’t have the product on the floor I can’t get the finances to fund the program.”
Donations can be dropped off at any Salvation Army Thrift Store Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Roberston said that they are mostly looking clothing, household items, furniture and kitchen items.
To locate a thrift store click here.
