A new home for a local organization that has provided for families in need for over 15 years.
What Kids Need Moncton Inc. will open in its new space in the former Gunningsville School in Riverview.
“We’re very excited. It’s been almost two years since we’ve been trying to help people without having an actual location,” Founder Amanda Pooley said.
The non-profit group found the space through a Facebook ad. Pooley says one of her volunteers reached out and explained that they couldn’t pay the full rent price, and the man who posted the ad was willing to work with them.
“So we were able to come up with a price that is reasonable for us as a charity. And still works for him. And it’s in an old school, which is amazing for me because I’m a teacher. So I love being in a school. It’s in Gunningsville Court, which used to be Gunningsville School in Riverview,” Pooley added.
Their new home has space for classes, hanging clothing and storing footwear. Pooley said there are also bookshelves on the wall, because it used to be a library.
The group is expected to get the keys on May 1st, and plans to open their doors on May 11.
In an effort to lighten the load as they began their move to their new home, Pooley says they gave out 218 bags of clothing over two days.
She hopes that with the extra space, they’ll be able to hang clothes and families can come in and choose what they would like.
“To hand a bag of clothing that you didn’t pick out yourself is not really the same as being able to go in and look on the rack and choose what you like. We really want families to be able to go in and with dignity, look at the items, choose the ones that they need, take them home and enjoy them.”
With all of the items given away, Pooley says they’re now looking to replenish their stock because a lot of families are still in need. “We are looking for donations of every size of clothing. We don’t have any footwear. We don’t have any toys. We haven’t had the space to store them for almost two years now. So, we’re absolutely starting fresh.”
What Kids Need Moncton Inc. started 16 years ago, in 2011, in Pooley’s basement. “Then my basement flooded, and we moved to a tent in my backyard, and we have gone through some growth and some changes.”
She didn’t expect it to come as far as it has, “I promise you, my family and friends did not either. I think that they probably thought I was out of my mind in the beginning phases, but to be able to help this many families every day is a dream.”
What Kids Need Moncton Inc. is also looking for volunteers. If you are interested in giving your time, reach out to them on their Facebook group.
