Roots and Wings re-opens with changes in place
NORWICH – Not even three months after closing to re-evaluate its business model, Roots and Wings of Chenango County has finally re-opened the doors of its clothing and household goods center.
Roots and Wings, a Norwich-based emergency services and self-sufficiency program operated under the auspices of Catholic Charities of Chenango County, closed its clothing center on Berry Street in January. Program organizers said the purpose was to restructure the program in a way that makes it more fiscally viable.
Roots and Wings provides clothing, food, household goods and furniture for individuals and families in need.
Unfortunately, tapering financial support from traditional funding streams – including the Syracuse Diocese, the Chenango United Way, and local foundations – put the program under pressure to alter its service model. No changes were made to its food pantry where individuals still have access to free emergency food and other supplies; but the clothing and household goods center has now taken on a thrift store concept where customers can buy merchandise at a low cost.
It’s a transition that allows Roots and Wings to continue providing for the community, albeit in a slightly different way, according to Roots and Wings administrator Melinda Mandeville.
“We want to be able to still reach out to our customers – the needy, and people who are low-income – so we’re keeping prices low,” said Mandeville. “People have been starting to come back just by word of mouth.”
Catholic Charities started exploring the prospects of a thrift store model in November. Citing the tremendous financial burdon fronted by Roots and Wings in recent years (despite a steady increase in community needs), Catholic Charities began researching various thrift store concepts. Catholic Charities Executive Director Robin Beckwith said at the time that Roots and Wings was losing a substantial amount of money that the organization simply couldn’t recoup.
In spite of the change from offering free merchandise to low-cost merchandise, Roots and Wings is still taking donations from the community, Mandeville said. Donations will only be accepted Tuesday through Thursday during regular operational hours in order to avoid a barrage of unwanted, excessively used, and altogether undesirable items.
“We started taking donations when we re-opened. When people bring in donations, we’ll be checking them to make sure they are gently used items that can be sold and re-used,” she added. “I think it will get busier when people become aware that we’re taking donations and that the store is open again.”
Roots and Wings is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9-4 p.m., and Thursday from 9-6 p.m.
Food Pantry hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 10-3 p.m., and Thursday from 10-6 p.m.
All services are closed daily 12:30-1:30 p.m. and the second Friday of every month.
For more information, contact Mandeville at 336-7897.
Roots and Wings, a Norwich-based emergency services and self-sufficiency program operated under the auspices of Catholic Charities of Chenango County, closed its clothing center on Berry Street in January. Program organizers said the purpose was to restructure the program in a way that makes it more fiscally viable.
Roots and Wings provides clothing, food, household goods and furniture for individuals and families in need.
Unfortunately, tapering financial support from traditional funding streams – including the Syracuse Diocese, the Chenango United Way, and local foundations – put the program under pressure to alter its service model. No changes were made to its food pantry where individuals still have access to free emergency food and other supplies; but the clothing and household goods center has now taken on a thrift store concept where customers can buy merchandise at a low cost.
It’s a transition that allows Roots and Wings to continue providing for the community, albeit in a slightly different way, according to Roots and Wings administrator Melinda Mandeville.
“We want to be able to still reach out to our customers – the needy, and people who are low-income – so we’re keeping prices low,” said Mandeville. “People have been starting to come back just by word of mouth.”
Catholic Charities started exploring the prospects of a thrift store model in November. Citing the tremendous financial burdon fronted by Roots and Wings in recent years (despite a steady increase in community needs), Catholic Charities began researching various thrift store concepts. Catholic Charities Executive Director Robin Beckwith said at the time that Roots and Wings was losing a substantial amount of money that the organization simply couldn’t recoup.
In spite of the change from offering free merchandise to low-cost merchandise, Roots and Wings is still taking donations from the community, Mandeville said. Donations will only be accepted Tuesday through Thursday during regular operational hours in order to avoid a barrage of unwanted, excessively used, and altogether undesirable items.
“We started taking donations when we re-opened. When people bring in donations, we’ll be checking them to make sure they are gently used items that can be sold and re-used,” she added. “I think it will get busier when people become aware that we’re taking donations and that the store is open again.”
Roots and Wings is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9-4 p.m., and Thursday from 9-6 p.m.
Food Pantry hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 10-3 p.m., and Thursday from 10-6 p.m.
All services are closed daily 12:30-1:30 p.m. and the second Friday of every month.
For more information, contact Mandeville at 336-7897.
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