Off of Highway 6 sits the Portage Resale Shop. Originally created 8 years ago, as a collaboration for community outreach between Mayor Doug Olson and Portage pastors, the shop was a place for people to donate and do good in the community. The money generated was used to fund other missions in the community, as the shop was able to remain rent free in the old Portage Mall. When the mall was torn down, the shop took a hiatus until their current location was found.
The resale shop reopened on Highway 6, with a new mission. “We started focusing on helping people with physical needs,” said Brandon Miller, Executive Director of the Portage Resale Shop, “We changed focus and started giving everything away.” The shop is able to furnish around 4 apartments per month, and clothe an average of 25 families. “Our big thing is that no one should have to sleep on the floor.”
Just across the field from the shop sits Gabriel’s Horn, a shelter for homeless women and mothers with children. The ladies are offered the opportunity to visit the resale shop and get items they need during their stay at the shelter. After they “graduate” the program at Gabriel’s Horn and move into their own apartment, the women are again offered the opportunity to shop for free furnishings.
The shop also works with Housing Opportunities and other agencies in Porter County. They are there to help people get back on their feet. “There are a lot more homeless in Porter County than people would imagine,” Brandon stated, “I can name over 20 names. A lot of families are sharing homes as well, sleeping on floors,” in order to have shelter over their heads. The volunteers at the shop also work to help those displaced when mental health agencies and group homes fall out of funding.
There’s no project too great for the shop. “We find ways to help when the rules say otherwise,” stated Brandon. He went on to talk about a wheelchair ramp they built for an individual in need. In order to have an official ramp, the project required an engineer, which proved too great an expense. The volunteers at the shop got together and built 2 skateboard ramps on either side of the porch, and because it wasn’t labeled a wheelchair ramp, no engineer was required.
“You never know the needs of people,” Brandon said. Anyone that comes into the store and asks for clothing will be given what they need immediately. There is a longer wait for the bigger items, such as furniture and referrals are needed for anything but clothing. People can receive referrals from churches, the Trustee’s office, mental health organizations, and similar businesses. “We see ourselves like Robin Hood, except legal,” laughs Brandon, as the shop takes from those willing to give to the poor whenever and however they can.
“We exist solely out of compassion,” sated Brandon, talking about the donors that enable the shop to continue. As it is a store, they do sell items but don’t bring in enough to cover their costs, totaling around $7,000 each month. Each Friday, the shop offers senior citizens half off their purchase and Mondays are half off for everyone. The shop will also host their unique “Pay What You Can Afford” sale on August 20, a sale that allows people to come shop and give what they can to get what they need. Free bread, courtesy of the Portage Food Pantry and the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana, is also available to take at the shop.
To learn more about the Portage Resale Shop, visit them on Facebook or call 219.764.3375. The shop is located at 404 W US Highway 6.