Hillsdale Community Thrift opened in 2018. Josephine von Dohllen | Collegian

The thrift store and homeless shelter have less than two weeks to secure $265,000

Hillsdale Community Thrift and its homeless shelter, Camp Hope, could close unless it makes a large payment on its property by the end of this month, according to Missy Desjardin, executive director of the store.

“We currently have over 20 homeless people on the property, including three minors, and one is a 17-month-old baby,” Desjardin said. “If we lose our property, they will have nowhere to go.”

Since opening in 2018, the thrift store has provided more than $150,000 in discounted or free essential items and partnered with local organizations to support those in need, Desjardin said. But the organization is facing financial hardship.

Last year’s winter weather, combined with a post-holiday lull in sales, forced Hillsdale Community Thrift to take out a loan, which took until the end of the summer to repay, according to Desjardin. This year, it is hoping to avoid a repeat of that cycle. 

With less than two weeks to secure about $265,000 for its next payment on the property, Desjardin said she and her team are making an urgent appeal for financial support.

“As much as we would like to be able to fully support ourselves from the sale of donated items, the increase in expenses and decrease in sales make that goal really hard to meet,” Hillsdale Community Thrift said in a statement.

Mara Maynard, who works for the Hillsdale County Drug Court Office and manages the Hillsdale County Family Treatment Court program, said she admires Desjardin’s work.

“She is doing a great service up here, and for them to take this away when it means so much to our community, I could cry,” Maynard said.

In a recent letter to community agencies, Desjardin said the landlords of their building have been accommodating throughout the process. 

 “The landlords have been patiently waiting for us to complete the purchase, which we unfortunately cannot secure alone,” Desjardin said. “They have given us the final notice.”

Hillsdale Community Thrift’s mission has always been to “find a need and fill it,” inspired by the motto of Ruth Stafford Peale, a mid-20th century author and co-founder of Guideposts inspirational magazine, Desjardin said. Over the last four years, Desjardin said the organization has expanded to meet the growing needs of Hillsdale’s community. From house fires to homelessness, it has responded to crises with resources and aid.

In response to the city’s 2023 ordinance banning camping on public property, the organization expanded its mission to offer sanctuary to the homeless, Desjardin said.

To comply with state regulations, Desjardin obtained a camping license, enabling the site to legally host multiple tents and provide structured shelter. Known as “Camp Hope,” the property behind the store has since become a place where the homeless can find shelter, access basic hygiene, and connect to resources to help rebuild their lives, according to Desjardin.  

“Before we knew it, we had 17 tents set up behind the store,” Desjardin said. “We eventually put two big wedding tents together and my husband insulated it and ran electricity through it. It’s equipped with a sleeping area and a living area.” 

Joseph Caudill, an employee at Hillsdale Community Thrift, said the organization has helped him improve his life habits. 

“People used to say I was a really bad person, and I started to believe those lies and do things that were bad,” he said. “Words are very powerful.” 

Caudill, who has been imprisoned twice and was once homeless, said he now finds strength in helping others. 

“When I get to talk to somebody and serve them, that’s what keeps me clean,” Caudill said. “You may look at my life and think I haven’t done much, but you’ve got to know where I have been and where I am now.” 

Desjardin said the organization implemented rules for those seeking refuge, including mandatory drug testing, with the exception of marijuana, and a focus on helping individuals secure jobs and access necessary documents such as IDs and birth certificates.

“We start by focusing on their dignity and ask what they need for clothing, bedding, getting settled in, et cetera,” Desjardin said. “Then we ask them if they need an ID, social security card, or birth certificate, and we help them get all those things.”

Camp Hope has welcomed more than 160 people seeking shelter, including more than 35 minors. The organization has invested more than $25,000 into Camp Hope alone, not counting the labor costs absorbed by Hillsdale Community Thrift employees who have shifted focus from their usual duties to helping those in need, according to Desjardin. 

“When people say, ‘You just need to pull yourself up by your bootstraps and get a job,’ my response is that some don’t even have boots to begin with,” Desjardin said. “But it’s more than just that — it’s about their health and the lack of a support system. People who’ve never had anybody don’t understand that. And I get it — I don’t know what that would be like either. But when you have no one, it’s really hard.”

Despite these challenges, Desjardin said she remains hopeful the community will rally behind the organization.   

“None of this would have been possible without God and this community,” Desjardin said. “I haven’t built a thing. I’ve just listened and been his humble servant.” 

As the Sept. 30 deadline approaches, Hillsdale Community Thrift is calling on local residents, businesses, and anyone willing to help. Anyone wishing to donate can contact Hillsdale Community Thrift directly or visit its website for more information. 

“I know they say you aren’t supposed to worry, and I try not to,” Desjardin said. “Very weird miracles have happened here — I can’t even begin to tell you how many times God has blessed us. We always joke about $1 million showing up — though that hasn’t happened quite yet.”