Thanksgiving Day Free Store

Distributing winter clothing and basic personal items free to the needy in the Twin Cities since 1995.

Every year since 1995, the Thanksgiving Day Free Store has distributed at no cost, new and gently used clothing and other basic personal items to those in need from the Twin Cities Metro area.

On one day each year, our store is open in a large room at St. Steven's Catholic School in South Minneapolis.

On Thanksgiving Day 2011, we served over 600 people. Our guests were mostly men but there were more than 135 women and more than 70 children. Many were homeless.

Donations of money are combined with coupons, senior citizen discounts and our tax-exemption to purchase goods. Whenever possible, winter clearance sales, rummage sales and thrift stores are shopped.

More than 150 volunteers perform all activities - shopping, sewing goods, sorting, labeling, transporting items to the store site, fundraising and more. We have no paid employees.

We believe that providing clean or gently used clothing and personal items to poor individuals and families increases their dignity by acknowledging that they are important members of society.