Under new management, local thrift store renews support for families in crisis

Sep. 11—The piles of folded outfits and hanging shirts give The Purple Patch the appearance of a typical thrift store. Yet, the heart of its mission sets the store apart for shoppers and the wider community.

All of the proceeds from the thrift store, located at 1224 Towson Ave. in Fort Smith, benefit The STEPS, Inc. The nonprofit's Family Resource Center hosts a visitation space, mental health counseling and classes on topics including parenting, life skills and anger management.

"We provide supervised visitation for families and parents that can't visit their children without there being a monitor," said Karmella Montgomery, executive director of the STEPS Family Resource Center. "We are a part of the 100 Families initiative [started] by the governor where we provide case management for families in need."

Brandi Harris, who took over management of The Purple Patch in August, is determined to continue the mission started in 2010 by Susan and Mark Hooks.

Harris and a team of volunteers have already begun rearranging the store, and have plans for additional updates, including a new paint job.

A 15-year Army veteran, Harris was drawn to the role because of the impact on the community and the difficulties she witnessed fellow veterans endure as they transition back to civilian life.

"Giving back gives me a purpose, and this is a way to give back by working with people," Harris said.

The store not only raises funds for The STEPS Inc. but also serves as a training center to help people get back into the workforce.

Volunteers come from a variety of backgrounds including AARP volunteers, individuals doing community service for parole and drug court and members of re-employability programs.

For volunteers with limited mobility, "being able to have a job where they feel like they've been able to do something helps us out a lot because they are able to sit back there and fold and sort clothes ... It gives them a sense of accomplishment without having to get up and move and walk around," Montgomery said.

In direct connection to The STEPS Inc. family programs, the store provides $25 vouchers for families who complete two hours of volunteer work.

"We focus on giving them a hand up, not a hand out," Montgomery said.

Proceeds to The STEPS Inc. have already increased in the last month and are still on the rise, Montgomery said. On Thursdays, every item over $1 is 50% off, and the store hosts flash sales they promote on Facebook.

How to support The STEPS Inc.

Along with the proceeds generated through sales, the store also accepts a variety of donations including business outfits, wedding dresses, glassware, sheets and curtains.

On Tuesday, the store received seven truckloads of clothing and household goods from community members.

"I don't think there's anything we don't get in," Harris said.

To donate to The Purple Patch, Harris prefers that items are dropped off between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. but will accept any items during store hours from 10:00 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Catherine Nolte is a corps member with Report for America, a national service program that places journalists into local newsrooms. She can be reached at cnolte@swtimes.com. Southwest Times Record and Report for America are working to place a new generation of journalists in community news organizations across the country. Will you support this effort today?

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