Common Ground’s mission is to provide basic needs in an atmosphere of both compassion and dignity. We compare it to giving gifts to a friend or loved one. If it’s not something you would give to someone you care about, then it’s not something we should have sitting on our shelf or hanging on a clothing rack.
We are demonstrating to others that they have value and worth. We are not in the mindset of saying, “Oh, well, if someone needs it, they will take it!” Because, no - no one, regardless of social or economic status wants something that’s broken, damaged, rusted, peeling off, torn, stained, or has otherwise lost its usefulness.
We wholeheartedly believe in recycling and upcycling, and as an organization that is a vital part of our mission. Our main focus and energy needs to be spent on getting items into the store for our community in need. That is why we ask our donors to only donate gently used, in great condition, items.
I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve complimented a shopper on something they are wearing or a purse they are carrying and they say with a smile, “I got this at the Free Store!”
Why we do what we do can be summed up in this story: I will never forget the time a woman joyfully told a volunteer, “All my life I’ve been a ‘have-not,’ but when I come here, everyone makes me feel like I’m one of the ’haves’!
