By JESSICA HARDING
Staff Writer
LONG BRANCH — This month will signal the reopening of the Family & Children’s Service (FCS) Thrift Boutique at its new location at 604 Second Ave. in the West End Plaza, adjacent to Brighton Avenue.
Six months ago, a fire ripped through the FCS Thrift Boutique’s previous location at 307 Branchport Rd. in Long Branch. The damage forced the suspension of business for the remainder of the year.
The FCS aims to provide compassionate care, intervention and education to support people at difficult times in their lives.
When the fire broke out in July, no one was injured or hurt, but the store’s inventory and many of its fixtures were completely destroyed.
According to FCS’ CEO Delly Beekman, the new store will continue to carry the same merchandise. The agency is looking for help from the community as they seek donations of new or gently used men and women’s clothing, as well as accessories.
Beekman is eager to see what the new location has in store.
“We are very excited about our new location,” she said. “The new space is cheerful and bright, with plenty of off-street parking and walking distance to public transportation, which is particularly important to our customers who do not have their own cars. We are anxious to meet our new neighbors and welcome back all of our loyal customers who we have missed in the intervening months.”
Beekman is also anxious for the FCS Thrift Boutique to begin generating revenue again for programs and services. Since the entire inventory is donated, proceeds from the boutique go directly to fund programs that prevent homelessness, care for the elderly and disabled and promote literacy and well-being in students in underserved communities in Monmouth County.
“Without the generosity of our community, both those who bring clothing donations and those who shop in the store, we would not be able to fully fund many of these programs,” Beekman said.
If you would like to donate men and women’s clothing, outerwear, shoes, handbags and accessories, including jewelry, belts, scarves, hats or gloves, please drop them off at the FCS office at 191 Bath Ave. during regular business hours.
Donations may also be left in the drop-off bin located in the parking lot at the rear of the property.
For a complete list of needed items, visit fcsmonmouth.org, call 732-222-9111 or check out the agency’s Facebook page.
To volunteer, contact Samantha White, FCS director of Volunteer Services, at [email protected].