Visalia Emergency Aid Thrift Store Celebrates 5th Anniversary by looking for Hannah Montana Look-A-Likes and Guitar Heroes for Contests and Food Drive

Visalia Emergency Aid Thrift Store is celebrating their 5th year anniversary at their new location at 620 W. Houston Ave. and invites the public to join them in the Celebration on Saturday, May 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the store parking lot with a Hannah Montana Look-A-Like Contest and a Guitar Hero Contest.

Visalia Emergency Aid Thrift Store is a large part of what helps Visalia Emergency Aid Council run its day to day functions in providing much needed services to needy families with children and the elderly currently living in poverty. Since the VEATS relocated, it has provided $390,000 in support to VEAC. Additionally VEATS provides opportunities for community members to donate their time. Pat Cuellar, Store Manager states, "Since its opening we have gratefully received 52,067 hours volunteered by community members. The store is also a training facility for Tulare Works and other program participants. We have been able to train 58 persons on a variety of work skills from stocking and merchandising to cashiering and even pick up and deliveries."

Visalia Emergency Aid Council has increasingly seen a rise in families and individuals coming in for assistance due to hard economic times. Reyes Zaragoza, Executive Director of VEAC says, "It's the working poor who are hardest hit by rising food costs, high gas prices, low wages and fewer jobs available." VEAC provides vouchers to needy families and individuals for items such as clothing and furniture by appointment and walk ins. Since the doors opened in 2003, 3,253 clothing vouchers have been given, 399 furniture vouchers have been given and 1,219 to entire families. Zaragoza says, "as you can see, the Thrift Store is a vital source of assistance to the growing number of families walking into the door of Visalia Emergency Aid Council for basic needs."

Everyone is encouraged to come out and participate in the celebration by bringing in a canned food item to participate in the Hannah Montana look-a-like contest and the Guitar Hero contest for a gift certificate to the winners. There will be a carnival atmosphere with free popcorn, balloons, face painting and a giant piñata along with a local D.J., bounce house for the kids and free hotdogs with purchase.

Our services to families reach an average of 2,700 children each month.




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