A decade back the people at Parker County Center of Hope - who were already doing a great job helping fight poverty in our area - came up with an idea to take the battle to another level.
They opened The Hope Chest, an onsite resale store. And not just any resale store, this one is upscale.
Why is upscale important? For one thing, a lack of money doesn’t mean people don’t want to look their best and enjoy nice things.
Then, too, is the need for nicer clothes to obtain employment. Let’s be honest, if we could afford Luis Vitton, Christian Dior, or Gucci, we’re probably not looking for a job.
Not that these are the kind of clothes they’ll be wearing after shopping at The Hope Chest, either, but the idea is they have the kind of clothes that can make an impression when you need to do some impressing. Talent should be the thing that ultimately gets you the job, but we all know it certainly doesn’t hurt when you’re able to dress the part.
In today’s society there aren’t too many moments like Will Smith had in “The Pursuit of Happyness.” For those who haven’t seen the movie, he gets an internship despite showing up for the interview in ragged clothes wearing only an undershirt with paint in his hair and having spent the night in the jail for unpaid parking tickets (they came to his apartment and arrested him while he was painting).
The scene does feature a great line, however. When asked what he would think if someone were hired after showing up to an interview without a shirt, Smith’s character responded, “He must have had on some great pants.”
Those pants, by the way, can likely be found at The Hope Chest.
And while children aren’t on the job market, parents and guardians do want nice, quality clothes for their youngsters. Again, we’re not talking about looking like Richie Rich, but if a child can get that in-style pair of shoes or item it just gives them a boost of confidence.
Along with clothing, The Hope Chest has a plethora of other items to help make life more enjoyable despite a challenging budget. Life just seems better when you have a comfortable living area, and when you can get the things that make this possible for a fraction of their original cost, well, that just makes the feeling even better.
And, perhaps the greatest benefit of The Hope Chest is that it gives people from all walks of life a chance to help others. If you’re donating or purchasing, it’s a circle of kindness that moves the organization forward in its battle against poverty.
“First and foremost, this is God’s store,” said Heidi Rodosta, The Hope Chest manager, emphasizing the store’s mission.
Remember, the two greatest commandments are love the Lord and love each other. Donating and buying from places such as The Hope Chest fulfill both of these commandments because, guess what, if you are loving others you are also showing a love for God, whether your realize that or not.
Over the past decade, the store has become a valuable resource to the community, providing much more than a place to shop. The store’s purpose is multifaceted: to help clothe those in need, to provide an internship to those needing work skills, and to provide funding for the Center’s operations.
Since its inception, the Center of Hope notes that The Hope Chest has received donations from more than 53,000 individuals, stocking the store with a wide variety of items. This outpouring of generosity has enabled the store to raise millions of dollars, which in turn has supported thousands of Parker County families struggling with poverty.
“This is not only a place where community shops and donates, but we are also helping families get back on their feet. The funding we receive can serve as a lifeline for those needing food or financial assistance, or even open pathways to education and career development opportunities,” Rodosta said.
“When you understand the purpose of the store, it makes coming to work that much more fulfilling.”
Saturday, June 22 was the official celebration of the 10-year milestone for The Hope Chest. It was also the first day of additional hours for the store.
From now on, the store will continue to operate during the week from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. And now you can stop in on Saturdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
So, drop in and find a cool bargain. Everyone has that something we never thought we could afford but would love to have. There’s a good chance it might be at The Hope Chest.
Or if you have some clothing that just doesn’t fit anymore because you are now doing more of a different kind of crunching on the sofa instead of in a gym, it will still fit someone.
Even if you’re just tired of looking at something, be it a piece of clothing or a piece of furniture, believe me, it will be the most beautiful thing on earth to someone else.
Many of you already know this. After all, the store wouldn’t still be in business, even surviving COVID, and doing so well if you weren’t helping out.
“The story of The Hope Chest serves as a testament to the power and compassion of the Parker County community. It is a shining example of how a shared vision and collective effort can create a lasting change for so many in our community who are struggling,” Center of Hope CEO Staci Markwardt said. “I couldn’t be more thankful to each person who has shopped, donated, or volunteered.”
There are still plenty of opportunities to do one, two, or all three of those things. Here’s to 10 more years times 10 and then some for Center of Hope and The Hope Chest.
The store is located at 1318 Clear Lake Road in Weatherford.
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