Readers have been asking after last month’s article on The Humane Society of Bay County “How can we help?” According to Lauryn Gill, the store manager at Humane Society Thrift & Gift, there is not currently a specific financial target. “Unfortunately we do not have a target amount at this time as it is more of coming up with guaranteed flow of income. The idea is to get the Thrift Store to a point where it is profitable since it has just recently opened up and once it is we’ll be able to have a better idea of what steady income this place can bring to the shelter,” she says. Additionally, the shelter structure itself is a problem. Gill explains that, “We have not come to a decision on what we will do with it yet, but it is not an ideal structure as it is very outdated and constantly posing issues so we are trying not to dump all the money we raise into repairs. Also with the hurricane it made some aspects of it unsound.”
Looking for ways beyond supporting the thrift store to contribute? Sign up to become a member at their website, adopt.org. Click on GIVE and then BECOME A MEMBER. Here it’s possible to select an option to donate a certain amount monthly/annually. Members will receive email updates and any newsletters we have on upcoming events.
It is also possible to donate directly through Facebook to the shelter’s page. There is both a thrift store page and a separate shelter page so make sure to go to the page for The Humane Society of Bay County, www.facebook.com/HumaneSctyBayCo, and not the “HSBC’s Thrift & Gift Store.”
Checks can be sent to:
The Humane Society Thrift & Gift Store. 1352 W 15th St., Panama City, FL 32401.
Donations can also be left with a staff member at the rear of the Thrift Store Monday-Saturday between 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Go to their website, adopt.org to the Thrift Store tab to see a list of items they do and do not accept.
Additionally, HSBC accepts volunteer applications, scheduling volunteers as opportunities arise. To join their volunteer database, reach out to Lauryn Gill via email (lgill@adoptme.org) or stop by the store to pick up a Volunteer Application. As of right now there are not any major volunteer projects for people to sign up for but it’s always helpful to have a list of potential volunteers ready when the time comes.
The land the shelter is on, however, is in need of a significant clean up. A volunteer landscaping crew willing to take care of overgrown grass, trees, and bushes would go a long way. “It is quite a bit of land and may take a couple days depending on the crew and the supplies,” says Gill. Though of course, the reward is mostly in the volunteering, Gill adds that, “We would be able to provide a donation receipt as a tax write-off for their businesses services and hours volunteered.” After the first big clean up, a volunteer crew is really needed monthly at least to stay on top of it. “We hate for the place to look as if it’s abandoned,” explains Gill. “When we closed it down the idea was to be able to maintain the landscape so it doesn’t look like a lost cause but it has been hard with the minimal staff, time, and resources we have.”
