LANSING, Mich. — Volunteers of America Michigan, social services organization and largest private provider of services to veterans in Michigan, to close thrift stores throughout the state resulting in layoffs for approximately 150 employees. This change comes after days of deliberation following the latest information regarding social distancing and public gatherings provided by the CDC and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).
“As we continue to approach these unprecedented times as an agency, we are determined to do everything we can to keep our customers, employees, donors and volunteers safe,” said Alex Brodrick, President & CEO of Volunteers of America Michigan.
While the organization works to adjust their operations, they plan to adjust the donation drop-off center hours. Although their store fronts won’t be open, they understand that many community members might be cleaning their homes during this extra time in self-isolation. As a result, they will continue to accept donations at the five stores beginning Tuesday, March 24. They plan to keep the drop-off centers open Tuesday thru Saturday, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. with no-contact drop-off procedures in place.
The store closures, although necessary for public safety, will undoubtedly have a large impact on the organization as their stores provide $20k in support each day for their social service programs. Like most nonprofits, they are working to adjust to this pandemic by inviting safer ways for the community to support their life-changing programs for homeless veterans, poor seniors, and struggling families.
“Our mission has always been to serve the most vulnerable in our communities while illustrating the presence of God through all that we do. Many things are changing, but our mission won’t. We may have to adjust the path we travel to get there and hope to still be here for those who have nowhere else to go. But we can’t do it alone. It’s going to take all of us working together to get through this… I believe we can,” explained Alex Brodrick.
Ready to support those who need it most? Try one of these:
1. Join their Neighbors in Need program by ordering supplies from the safety of your own home. When you visit their website, you will see all of the different locations and who they serve. Click on the link and it will take you to an amazon wish list of supplies their seniors, veterans, or families need. Visit voami.org/neighbors-in-need to get involved.
2. Drop-off donations to one of their five thrift locations:
(Westland- 34800 Warren Rd, Westland, MI; Burton- 1135 N. Belsay Rd, Burton, MI; Corunna- 2520 E. Main St., Corunna, MI; Lansing: West- 3800 W. Saginaw St, Lansing, MI; Lansing: South- 5411 S Cedar St, Lansing, MI)
3. Drop-off groceries to their Detroit Veterans Housing Program (253 E. Milwaukee Ave, Detroit, MI). The program provides transitional housing to 60 homeless veterans and serves 3 meals a day.
4. Have your kids make a card and send it by mail to one of their seniors to brighten their day. You can find a list of their senior housing locations on their website: https://www.voami.org/neighbors-in-need 5. Make a monetary donation by visiting their website: www.voami.org
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