|
|
|
|
|
Unity Shoppe: helping the poor and guarding their dignity
In more than one sense, the Unity Shoppe is the mother of all charities in Santa Barbara.
Founded in 1917 as a non-sectarian holiday distribution program for the poor by city mothers Pearl Chase and Hazel Severy, the Unity Shoppe continues to be the largest direct distributor of food and clothing to the needy in Santa Barbara County.
"We're the only store for the poor in the country," says Barbara Tellefson, executive director and mother bear-like guardian of the Unity Shoppe, located at 1236 Chapala Street. "People don't realize the fabulous resource we have here."
While charity traditionally has been thought of as giving bags of food and other items to the needy, the Unity Shoppe operates as a "store." Those in need are referred to the shop by more than 140 local agencies, churches and schools. Clients are given scrip so that they can "shop" for food, clothing, toys and other items.
While some might wonder if the store concept is a specious one, Tellefson, who has worked with the organization for 25 years, contends that having the freedom to choose helps the poor keep their dignity, which in turn strengthens the families' self-image. The mission of the Unity Shoppe is to help the working poor rise from up from their poverty and avoid welfare dependency and homelessness.
The Unity Shoppe is a bustling, multifaceted operation. There is a thrift store across the street where items are sold to support the free store, and a workshop where senior citizens wrap gifts for convalescent home residents and children. The shop itself features a grocery shop with a variety of goods lining the shelves. There is an area for clothing also. Children accompanying their parents can choose a gift in the toy area.
Volunteering is integral to the success of the Unity Shoppe. Thousands of schoolchildren work in the store every year. Senior citizens throughout the community give thousands of hours making toys, knitting children's clothing and sorting donated items.
Last year the Unity Shoppe helped more than 10,000 people, of which 6,010 were children. Two-thirds of all adults helped were employed, living on about $1,200 per month.
The Unity Shoppe operates with a staff of eight people and receives no funding from the United Way or government agencies. The organization depends on community donations as well as the celebrity-studded KEYT3 Unity Telethon in December.
For more information, visit www.unityshoppe.org. |
|
|
The Unity Shoppe was run as the Council of Christmas Cheer for many years until the late 1980s, when the organization expanded its services to meet the needs of the community year-round.