The Depot is all about giving back to Winneshiek County

(decorahnews.com reporter Becky Vande Lune is doing a three-part series on shopping for Christmas presents at local thrift stores)

The Depot Outlet accepts gently used clothing, household goods, books, furniture and more, selling these items and reinvesting profits back into the community non-profit organizations. The Depot has given back $124,660 to Winneshiek County this year, from January through October.

Cub Scouts, public schools, post prom, the Freedom Rock in Calmar, flood victims and bingo in local nursing homes are just a few of the projects which have benefited this year from donations from the Depot Outlet.

Several families lost all their Christmas decorations after their homes flooded or had water damage this past August. Many of those people turned to the Depot to get new decorations to replenish their supply.

There has been a popular trend of giving and wrapping a book a day to give to children during the Christmas season. There are many books to choose from at the Depot Outlet as the shelves are stocked full of children and young adult books.

One para-educator remarked she was able to decorate her entire area for Christmas this year at school with items she purchased at the Depot.  A Christmas tree for her room, decorations and gifts for less fortunate children were easily purchased at reasonable prices at the Depot.

The next time you are cleaning out your closet or basement, consider recycling and donate your items to one of our local thrift stores, so you and the Depot can keep making a difference.

The Depot store hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.  Donations are accepted during store hours.

To find out more about the Depot Outlet, visit their website: http://www.depotoutlet.org/

plenty of Christmas decorations at the Depot

children's book section

many wreaths to choose from