Community Resource Center’s Resale Stores Reopen
Enhanced safety and donation guidelines are in effect
Encinitas, Calif., June 24, 2020— North County’s Community Resource Center (CRC) reopened their three resale stores on May 29, with new hours and guidelines for shopping and donations in effect, following CDC and county safety advisories to help ensure the health and safety of customers, donors and staff.
Closed for months due to the coronavirus pandemic, donations of items have poured in to the Encinitas store since its reopening. “We’ve seen a huge influx of donations into our stores,” John Van Cleef, CRC’s CEO said. “We are so grateful to these donor, but unfortunately that generosity now presents a challenge for us as we try to process the donations.”
CRC asks for the community’s help by reviewing the new donation guidelines and holding their donations for a few weeks to help staff process and sell current inventory. As more customers purchase items, space is freed up to display more donations.
If donors cannot wait, donations are currently only accepted at CRC’s Encinitas resale store at 1331 Encinitas Blvd., Wednesday through Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm (closed on Sundays). Donations of items, other than food, should not be brought to CRC’s office on Second Street as staff are unable to process them at that location.
Some of the items that CRC cannot accept at this time include linens and blankets, electronics, stuffed animals, oversized furniture, baby equipment, hazardous materials, books and mattresses.
Van Cleef says, “We appreciate our community members who follow these guidelines, as you help CRC maximize our resources to focus on helping those who are hungry, homeless and hurting in our community. Items which cannot be resold create additional expense for CRC. When we have to pay to dispose of items, it redirects funds away from vital programs.”
With locations in Encinitas, Carlsbad and San Marcos, CRC’s resale stores are a critical funding source for the nonprofit organization. Van Cleef says, “Our Resale Stores generate critical funds for people in our community. Whether you shop, donate or volunteer, your support provides food, shelter and safety to thousands of people each year.”
CRC encourages individuals to come and shop safely in their stores. New safety measures require all customers to wear masks to enter the store and maintain a 6-foot distance from other customers. CRC disinfects surfaces every 45 minutes, quarantines donations for three days and has implemented touchless credit card transactions.
In order to support the health and safety of all store visitors, it is requested that everyone review the Donation Guidelines and Safety Measures.
Established in 1979, Community Resource Center (CRC) is a nonprofit organization with a mission to help our neighbors create paths to healthy food, stable homes and safe relationships. CRC provides emergency assistance, case management, counseling, shelter, and food support to low-income individuals and families with limited resources who are experiencing or are at risk of homelessness, including survivors of domestic violence. For more information, please visit crcncc.org.
