Why Sunday Matters

I want to share a recent experience with you that has caused me to reflect deeply on who we are as Care & Share and, more importantly, why we do what we do.

I’ve heard “rumblings” in our volunteer pipeline that there are concerns about our leadership’s and Board’s decision to open Care & Share on Sundays from 12–5PM. I completely understand that for some of you, Sunday is an important day of rest, worship, family, or Sabbath, and I sincerely respect that. No one should feel pressured to volunteer on a day that does not work for them.

At the same time, I want to share the reason behind the decision to be open on Sundays, because I believe it is deeply connected to our mission and our community witness.

As many of you know, Care & Share has partnerships with nonprofit organizations throughout our community. You can see the names of many of these organizations on the wall as you enter 355 Maple Avenue, underneath the words:

“Where Every Purchase Is a Gift to the World.”

One of the things I love most about these partnerships is the very real way they allow us to serve our neighbors. When one of our nonprofit partners reaches out to us with a need, we provide gift cards to Care & Share that they can distribute to individuals and families who need assistance. Collectively, these partnerships represent approximately $50,000 in Care & Share gift cards each year.

There are two things about this program that I particularly love.

First, dignity and choice.
Someone receiving a gift card can walk into our store and choose what they need, in the size, style, color, and price point that works for them. They aren’t simply being handed something someone else selected. They get to shop. They get to choose. And for someone going through a difficult season, that can make a tremendous difference in how they feel about themselves.

Second, everyone is treated exactly the same.
When a customer comes to the register and hands us a gift card, we don’t know—and don’t need to know—whether that card came from a family member or from an agency helping them through a difficult time. They are simply our customer. They are welcomed, served, and treated with the same dignity as everyone else.

A Sunday That Reminded Me Why We Are Here

Recently, I was in the register hub on a Sunday as we were preparing to close. Our final two customers were mothers shopping with their children.

One mother had four children with her, and they were shopping for back-to-school clothing. I could hear her carefully debating each purchase, trying to make the most of every dollar. The children and I began talking, and eventually their mom turned to me and said:

“Thank you for being open on Sunday. I work two jobs, and this is my only day off during the week.”

Then she handed me the gift cards she had received through the St. Vincent de Paul Society – I only know this because she asked me if I knew one of the members of the church because they have been so kind to her.

That moment stayed with me.

It reminded me that when we talk about being open on Sunday, we aren’t simply talking about another day on the business calendar. We are talking about people.

People who work two jobs.

People who care for children or grandchildren.

People caring for aging parents.

People whose schedules don’t look like ours.

People who may have very limited opportunities during the week to shop for the things their families need.

And sometimes, people who simply need a welcoming place to go.

This Is Part of Our History

When Janet Vincent, one of our founders, recently visited Care & Share, she and I spent time talking about the early vision of Care & Share. (Please CLICK HERE  to watch the video of Janet sharing her memories.)

Janet often talks about the very first customers who came to the thrift shop. They were people in the community who had no clothing. They would arrive before the store was even open, knocking on the door because they desperately needed something to wear.

That history matters.

For the past 18 years, I have personally encountered many, many people in need after hours because we weren’t open when they were able to shop. On more than one occasion, I’ve had a friend help me assist someone after closing. She once looked at me afterward and said:

“This is a remarkable part of the Care & Share ministry that I don’t think many people know about. You need to share this.”

She was right.

I often tell our Board that one of my favorite parts of my job is building community and welcoming the immigrant, the downtrodden, and those who are simply going through a difficult season.

That is part of our ministry.

That is part of our history.

And that is part of our community witness.

So, Why Sunday?

Opening on Sunday wasn’t a decision made because we simply wanted another day of sales. It was a decision made because we are trying to meet the needs of the people in our community.

Our community is changing. People’s schedules are changing. The demands on families are changing. And if someone is working two jobs and Sunday is their only day to shop, I want Care & Share to be there.

If a grandmother is caring for her grandchildren all week and Sunday is the day she can bring them shopping, I want Care & Share to be there.

If a family is trying to stretch every dollar and needs affordable clothing for their children, I want Care & Share to be there.

And if someone comes through our doors carrying a burden that we know nothing about, I want them to encounter a smile, kindness, dignity, and welcome.

Thank You for Being Part of the Mission

I know that Sunday availability will not work for everyone, and I respect that. Please continue to volunteer on the days that work best for you. Your time, your talents, and your commitment are deeply appreciated.

But whatever day you serve, I ask you to carry this understanding with you:

We aren’t just opening doors. We are opening doors for people.

We don’t always know the story behind the person standing in front of us. We don’t know if they are shopping for a bargain, rebuilding after a crisis, raising four children on a tight budget, working two jobs, starting over in a new country, or simply trying to make it through a difficult season.

But we can make sure that when they walk through our doors, they are welcomed.

So, whether you volunteer on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, or any other day, join me in being that friendly smile, that kind voice, and that welcoming presence.

And when you see our doors open on Sunday, I hope you’ll understand a little more about why.

It is because there are people in our community who need us to be open.

It is because our founders had a vision of serving people who had nowhere else to turn.

It is because our nonprofit partnerships allow us to provide dignity and choice to thousands of people.

And it is because, at the heart of Care & Share, every purchase truly can be a gift to the world.

Thank you for being part of that mission.

-Sarah Bergin, Executive Director