DCF Grant Helps Open Door Thrift Store Support Those in Need

With help from local donations, Open Door Thrift Store sells affordable clothing and household goods.

DCF Board member Jeanne Lehn, right, presents a $1,000 grant to Stacy Harvey, President of the Open Door Thrift Store. Photo provided.

(Lawrenceburg, Ind.) - The Dearborn Community Foundation (DCF) recently awarded a $1,000 Proactive Grant to a 14-year-old Dearborn County organization that provides “unconditional support” so people can recover from tough times. 

The grant to the Open Door Thrift Store, Aurora, was recommended by DCF Board Member Jeanne Lehn as part of the Foundation’s annual program through which the organization’s 15 volunteer board members recommend a grant. The grant will be used at the discretion of Open Door Thrift Store Board President Stacy Harvey. 

“Stacy is passionate about helping those who have experienced domestic violence or homelessness. She supports local entities helping the underserved, such as the Heart House and YES Home, individuals in foster care or families fostering children,” said Lehn. “Her belief in giving people a chance is inspiring.”   

In its 26th year of helping donors make a difference, proactive grant money comes from the Foundation’s Unrestricted Endowment Funds, established by donors to provide flexibility to address changing needs in the community over the years. 

“We provide clothing and household goods to women and their children entering local shelters. Proceeds from the thrift store help support these women as they leave the shelters,” said Harvey. “Our mission is to help women achieve self-sufficiency and independence by offering a helping hand.” 

With help from local donations, Open Door Thrift Store sells affordable clothing and household goods. The store has 10,000 square feet of donations. Since opening in 2010, the store has donated an average of $125,000 worth of items yearly to the community and Matthew 25 Ministries.  

“We provide more than 100 large garbage bags of clothes bi-weekly to Matthew 25 Ministries, who distribute clothes all over the world for disaster relief,” said Harvey. 

Open Door Thrift Store supports Safe Passage, Women’s Crisis Center, YMCA Battered Women’s Shelter, Heart House, Local Churches, Pregnancy Care Center, Baby Basket, Clearing House, Dearborn Foster Care System, Dearborn Social Services, Community Mental Health Clinic, and Matthew 25 Ministries. Donations are accepted Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Call 812-926-0184, or visit opendoorin1@gmail.com 

Anyone can contribute to an unrestricted DCF endowment  to help make impact grants like the 15 DCF Board members are recommending in 2024. For a list of unrestricted endowments and to learn more about the Foundation, call 812-539-4115 or visit dearborncf.org. If you are interested in contributing to DCF, visit our website’s “Give Now” page to donate online and to learn about other giving options.