Unique Store Offers Bargains For Low-Income Families

Back to school shopping...might be on the minds of parents as it gets closer to August. But there`s a unique store...for low-income families..that offers it all for more than just bargain prices. It`s a store that opens twice a month to provide parents and kids with some of those basic needs. "We buy clothes for the kids they all get their bags and everybody goes shopping...they all get whatever," says customer Margaret Miller. Miller, mom of six, is one of many moms...that makes a little and needs a lot. The Parent Store is part of the Bonus Bucks Program through Community Action Parnership in St. Joseph. The store allows volunteers and parents of children in Headstart -that meet income guidelines- ... buy what`s offered with bills called bonus bucks. "Bonus bucks are an incentive that we give our parents or community members when they volunteer in the classroom on focus sheets for the policy council and attend parent meetings," says Store Coordinator, Bonnie Owens. "And with those bonus bucks they can come into the store and purchase items that they don`t have to spend money on," adds Owens. Clothes, Shoes, Diapers and much more are all up for grabs. But this store that helps those in a financial struggle is struggling itself. "We`ve had times that we were really really low and we`d just say gosh...we`re sorry. We apologize but we just didn`t get the donations," says Owens. Owens says with a lack of funds and a lot of store traffic....they are sometimes forced to limit what families can buy. And as the supply runs low...and the demand high. Coordinators with the Parent Store only hope families find a way to get what`s needed. Vatterott College also takes part in the bonus buck program. They provide hair cuts, pedicures, manicures and more for two bonus bucks each. The Parent Store encourages community donations. For more information about donating you can call 233-8281