An Interfaith Community Collaborative Effort
The Friends Store for Refugees provides easy access to free new and used clothing, toys, baby equipment, household items and other necessities to refugee and underserved families who have recently arrived in Kalamazoo.
The Friends Store, housed at the Congregation of Moses, has been in operation since late 2022 as a community collaborative project, initially filling a need for clothing and household supplies for Afghan refugees arriving in Kalamazoo after the sudden US pullout.
Since 2022, the Friends Store has served hundreds of families from more than 17 countries.
Volunteers from Temple B’nai Israel, Congregation of Moses, Peoples Church, Prince of Peace Church, Second Reformed Church and the wider community, along with hundreds of donations have allowed the store to provide free used and new clothes, shoes, toys, books, sewing supplies, baby equipment and some household and personal care products.
It is estimated that more than $300,000 worth of donated goods have been distributed to families arriving in the community.
Local non-governmental organizations that have been partners in the resettlement work are Samaritas, Bethany Christian Services and Church World Services.
Benefits to the Kalamazoo Community
Providing Family Necessities
Clothing, toys and household goods from the Friends Store allow underserved families to use the minimal funds they have to cover rent, utilities and food, freeing them to complete the necessary tasks of becoming a new US citizen and gain self-sufficiency through employment.
Improving Interfaith Relations and Understanding
The strong collaboration of the volunteers, donors and resettlement agencies creates a sense of trust among different faith groups and within the refugee community, with the goal of improving interfaith relations and understanding.
Building Support Systems
The Friends Store provides a place for volunteers to meet new families, and oftentimes the volunteer becomes a support system for the family.
Preserving the Autonomy and Dignity of Clients
Several people who came to Kalamazoo as refugees now volunteer in the store regularly or help with translation when necessary. Their ability to speak languages like Pashto, Dari, Arabic, Swahili and Kinyarwanda and act as an interpreter has been essential for the newly arriving families. Enabling new American families to volunteer is a goal of the Free Store project because it preserves the autonomy and dignity of families.
Filling Gaps Left by Discontinued Federal Funding and Assistance
Because of recent federal actions, resettlement agencies no longer employ caseworkers to assist new refugees, leaving many people to fend for themselves. The support formerly provided by the federal government, such as casework, childcare, food and housing aid and other key social services designed to place refugees on a path to self-sufficiency is no longer available. Refugee families are more vulnerable than ever, until they are able to work and live independently. In many cases, volunteers are doing the jobs that caseworkers used to do.
Everyone who participates in serving the Friends Store feels a strong sense of pride in recognizing our shared humanity with people in need far away from their homes of origin.
The families are extremely grateful for the warm welcome we give them and many new relationships between volunteers and refugee families start at the store.
~ Nadine Irankunda, Program Director, Refugee Services, Bethany Christian Services of Michigan
Hours
The Friends Store for Refugees is located in the Congregation of Moses, 2501 Stadium Drive in Kalamazoo. The store accepts donations and hosts shoppers Monday-Thursday, 9:00 am- 3:00 pm by advance appointment only.
The store may be closed certain days and/or weeks for staff and volunteer holidays or when the building is in use for religious or other events. Please contact us before bringing donations or shoppers.
To make an appointment for donation drop-off or to inquire about visiting the store, please call 269-342-5463, extension 16, and leave a message. A volunteer will call you back. Thank you!
Volunteering at the Friends Store
Volunteers are always needed to help sort clothes, pick up donations, keep records, and help our refugee friends find what they need.
For more information on how to volunteer, please contact the Friends Store for Refugees here.