Blessings to You donated over $65,000 to community groups in 2025

PALMERSTON –  The Blessings to You Thrift Store in Palmerston had a busy year, collecting enough funds to donate just under $67,000.

The volunteer-run community organization accepts general donations of clothing and household goods to sell to the public at low cost.

“All of our profits after infrastructure costs such as rent [and] utilities, all goes back to local charities,” acting co-chair Deanna Martin told the Advertiser. 

The Palmerston and District Hospital, The Grove Hub, Palmerston Railway Museum, Minto Fire, Saugeen Connects, local food banks and minor sports teams are just some of the groups who received donations last year.

The store was originally started by a local church and handed out free items “as they saw a need,” Martin said.

“The building got sold and rent went too high so that’s when the church stepped out of it and some other volunteers took over.”

Martin has been a Blessings to You volunteer for 12 years and finds the work “very rewarding.” 

Proceeds also help the community enjoy free skates, shinny and public swims as “the Town of Minto comes to us on a regular basis” to support the recreational programs. 

“The Blessings mandate is to give to anyone in Minto or Drayton because they’re our catchment areas,” Martin said. “Because most of our clients are from Minto we like to give back to the direct area.”

The community supported the store with so many good donations” that the board of volunteers decided to expand into a secondary store on the same street.

Both stores are located on Main Street in Palmerston, one at 203 Main St. and the other at 237 Main St. 

The store’s 118 volunteers find pride and self-worth helping their community, but they also struggle with time.

“A lot of our volunteers are in the 65 to 70 year plus range,” Martin said. “That makes some of the heavy lifting difficult.”

To offset heavy tasks the thrift store accepts Norwell  District Secondary School students that are hoping to earn community hours. 

Martin urges those wanting to volunteer to take the leap as “it’s a great way to meet people.”

To volunteer or submit a donation request, email the store at blessingsthriftpalmerston@gmail.com.