Unique shopping model benefits nonprofits

Six local nonprofits will benefit from purchases made at Treasures 4 Charity, an upscale resale shop located in East Walnut Hills.
 
Store owner Valerie Duplain, a retiree who says she’s always been involved with charities, operates the shop five days a week on a completely volunteer basis so that 70 percent of an item’s selling price goes directly toward funds for the the six partners: Caracole, Faces Without Places, Mercy Neighborhood Ministries, Prospect House, Freestore Foodbank and the Walnut Hills Kitchen.
 
“The theory kind of is, if you go to Caracole and say you have a chair, they can’t do anything with it, but if you bring it here, I can sell it,” Duplain says. “Even if you get $100 dollars a month to some of these charities, it’s a huge thing for them.”
 
Duplain, who lives in the neighborhood, says she opened the shop because she saw it as the perfect opportunity to not only do something fun, but to also give back to small nonprofits who she says are having a difficult time, particularly now.

Her goal for 2015 is to provide each nonprofit with $5,000 dollars. 
 
“In this economy, it really is a good thing if you can help,” Duplain says. “And it’s a fun shop—95 percent of people who come in are repeat customers—and you don’t find something every time you come in, but you can look around and really see some unique things.” 

Do Good:

•    Support one of the six nonprofits on your own. 

•    Donate items to the shop, and go check out what's available. 

•    Contact Valerie if you're interested in volunteering.
 
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Read more articles by Brittany York.

Brittany York is a college educator, freelance writer, and the event producer for Ohio Civics Essential. She loves travel and photography. Keep up with Brittany on Instagram @brittbrittbrittbrittany.