Andrews welcomes Gifts of Kindness
Factory surplus store to help low income individuals
By Lizz Harold Staff Writer

Gifts of Kindness, a program designed to bring household goods to low income individuals, will set up a store location in Andrews, NC.

Established in 2006, Gifts of Kindness has worked in Swain, Graham, Cherokee, and Clay Counties and has brought $127,000 worth of factory surpluses to over 1,000 families.

Truck loads of goods were given away last year with the help of local churches and volunteers.

"This is a good thing that would help a lot of people," said Andrews Alderman Steve Jordan.

The Andrews City Council decided to enter into a partnership with the volunteers of Gifts of Kindess and will pay the store's utility bill each month.

Other funds have been received under a grant from Duke University. Officials in Clay // County have donated their time and transit vehicle to transport individuals to and from the store in Andrews free of charge.

The Andrew's alderman were supportive of the organization and their work to aid western North Carolina's less fortunate.

The store will be located in the K&A building in the West End Plaza in Andrews.

The store's low priced goods will benefit low income families, retired individuals on fixed incomes, and other residents from surrounding counties in need of inexpensive items.