In Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Plato’s Closet opened its doors and its bins last month like always, but with a twist: Visitors could take what they needed for free.
This was the store’s “Take What You Need” event, just one way that Winmark franchisees give back to their communities — and enjoy lending a hand.
As Sioux Falls co-owner Mikki Fitzer noted in a local TV interview, she and her staff have done a little bit of everything.
“We’ve given back to the humane society, the children’s homeless shelter. We’re going to walk in the Avera Race Against Cancer,” an annual charity event supporting patients who receive care at the city’s Avera Cancer Institute.
“We’ve got so much love from the community, we want to support the families that support us,” says Fitzer. The staff even provided donuts for early birds.
Resale — and a Helping Hand — for Everyone
From volunteering with local organizations to sponsoring local sports teams and leagues and even providing free clothing to those who need it, Winmark and franchisees from each of the brands are committed to community and sustainability.
Franchisees also have organized charitable events for their own communities and neighbors. Last year, for example, a Play It Again Sports in Crystal Lake, Illinois, teamed up with Purrfect Cat Rescue, donating 10% of all purchases to the shelter.
A Play It Again Sports in Topeka, Kansas, partnered with Doorstep Inc., a Topeka nonprofit, through a gear drive. Resale proceeds benefited the charity, which provides families and individuals with short-term basic needs assistance.
From Charitable Sales to Clothing Giveaways
The Winmark brands that sell clothing often donate items to local women’s and children’s shelters, but franchisees have really leveled up how they help through regular “Take What You Need” events.
“Take What You Need” events - in which stores give away leftover clearance items to anyone who needs them – have been held in stores from Plato’s Closet in Johnson City, Tennessee, to Style Encore in Madison, Wisconsin. Although stores often limit the number of free items – such as 10 to 15 per person – the Plato’s Closet in Asheville, North Carolina, allowed adults, teens, and children up to 30 items per person at its clothing giveaway following Hurricane Helene last fall. The store also gave a shout-out on social media to an eastern North Carolina pilot and his wife, who flew 14 bins of donated clothing they’d collected to the event.
Of course, such giveaways make room for new inventory, but more importantly, they help franchisees connect with the communities they serve and neighbors connect with each other. A Once Upon A Child store in Belleville, Ontario, estimated as many as 400 people came to its “Take What You Need” event in February, where they handed out more than 8,000 pieces of clothing and shoes to local families.
Winmark franchisees definitely find power in community, as the Plato’s Closet in Jackson, Tennessee, noted before its own event this year. “If you or someone you know is in need of clothes, or if you can simply help spread the word, let’s unite and create a ripple of kindness in our community,” the store shared on social media. “Together, we can make a meaningful difference in someone’s life.”
With more than 1,350 locations across North America, Winmark franchisees know how to make a positive impact on their communities and the environment. Contact us today to learn more about Winmark franchising and how you can make a difference as part of our network.