November 1, 2020
Be sure to keep reading to learn about our NEW STORE HOURS and the availability of FURNITURE DONATION PICK UPS!
5 Ways to Begin Shopping for Good!
What is “Shopping for Good?” This is the act of shopping in support of a cause. In our case, when you shop in these ways, you are supporting The Caring Place mission to provide for the basic human needs of all people in our community in a welcoming, respectful and caring way. Revenue generated from these various forms of shopping help The Caring Place support its neighbors in need with food, rent, utilities and other critical bills. When our neighbors are in crisis, The Caring Place is a lifeline. Let’s begin! Here are the 5 best ways to integrate “shopping for good” in your life:
Shop our thrift stores.
Do you like thrift shopping? Never tried? Maybe this is the year to start! The Caring Place has two thrift stores fully stocked by donations from our generous community. If you have a unique style, love a great value or appreciate the idea of giving things a second life, then thrift store shopping is for you. We are always impressed by the treasures that are donated to our organization. New and gently used brand name clothes, furniture, housewares, small appliances, sports equipment, tools, art, antiques, vintage items, books and more can be found in our stores. What about gift cards? Yes, we sell those, too. To begin your thrift store shopping adventure in Georgetown, Texas, here’s the information about our 2 stores.

  • The Shops at The Caring Place*
2000 Railroad Avenue | Georgetown, Texas
512-943-0700 | caringplacetx.org/shop

  •  Second Helping*
 3700 Williams Drive | Georgetown, Texas
 Shop by appointment at this location!
 512-987-2998 | caringplacetx.org/shop

*Our stores will have NEW shopping hours beginning November 9th!
Hint: Saturday shopping is in the works! Visit our website caringplacetx.org/shop for our updated store info!

Shop our ebay store.
Are you a discerning collector? Have a taste for some finer items or hard-to-find vintage? Maybe you love shopping, but just don’t want to come inside right now. Our eBay store is open 24/7 for you. Like our thrift stores, these items are donated by our community and are ready for a second life. Find our eBay store at caringplacetx.org/ebay.
 
Shop AmazonSmile.
We get it. Sometimes what you are looking for simply isn’t in our stores. If it’s something you find on Amazon, you’ll also find it on AmazonSmile. Be sure to use this platform to make all your Amazon purchases and designate The Caring Place of Georgetown, Texas as your nonprofit of choice. The Caring Place receives half a percent of your eligible purchase! This also works for those of you who make all your business purchases on Amazon. Give it a try. Help your local community while shopping on AmazonSmile! It adds up! Find the link and more info at caringplacetx.org/amazonsmile.
 
Grocery shop.
You didn’t stop grocery shopping, did you? If you are a Randalls shopper you can even make an impact in your community by doing your regular grocery run. Head to the courtesy booth and link your Randalls Remarkable Card to your favorite nonprofit, The Caring Place! You can get started by printing the form from our website at caringplacetx.org/randalls. Our nonprofit account number of “13870” is preprinted on the form and you simply print and complete the form and take it to the Randalls courtesy booth. 1% of your eligible purchases will be donated to The Caring Place.
 
Think of “giving” as “shopping.”
Not everyone loves shopping. And, not everyone needs gifts, making some friends and family difficult to shop for. However, we know there are people in your life you want to recognize with a gift during this season. Have you considered making donations in a gift recipient’s name? Someone who appears to have everything might appreciate that you knew they enjoy helping others. We will even send them a card letting them know a donation was made in their name. You can make that gift online at caringplacetx.org/donate or mail checks to P.O. Box 1215, Georgetown, Texas, 78627.
How Can You Donate Items?

The Caring Place Donations department is open on scheduled days to accept donations from the public. We invite you to help us fill our stores! We are not accepting non-perishable items for the Food Pantry at this time.

  • The scheduled Donation Days for approved items in November are November 9th and 23rd from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

In an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19, The Caring Place is operating without many of its volunteers and utilizing various safety precautions. For this reason, here are the details the community needs to know when coming to The Caring Place to make item donations:

DROP-OFF PROCEDURES:
  • Bring approved items in a box or bag
  • Our staff will unload your vehicle
  • Practice social distancing

WHAT WE TAKE:
At this time, The Caring Place is temporarily reducing the types of items it can take because of the time and labor needed to properly process them. This list will be updated as needed and can be found on this page.

Items we take in our Donations drive through:
  • Adult/Children's Clothing
  • Shoes & Accessories
  • Books
  • Crafts, Fabrics, Holiday
  • Paper Goods & Office Supplies
  • Toys, Games, Puzzles (no large toys or plush toys)
  • Sheets, Towels & All Linens
  • Cookware, Pots & Pans
  • Dishes & Utensils
  • Antiques & Collectibles 
  • Housewares & Interior Decor (no rugs)
  • Small Appliances
  • Stereos
  • Medical Equipment (no electric scooters)
  • Walkers
  • Potty Chairs
  • Shower Chairs

How Can You Have Furniture Picked Up?
When: Wednesdays & Fridays 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
How: Call 512-943-0711 and leave a message with the following info:
  • First and Last Name
  • Phone number
  • Name the furniture item/s 
  • Address (Please be sure to check our map to ensure you are in our pick up service area)
  • The date you prefer your pick up (Wednesday or Friday)

Things to know before making your appointment:
  • We only pick up items in our Furniture Pick Up Service Area. 
  • Items must be left outside or in the garage with a clear path to them.
  • Upon arrival, TCP staff will identify themselves and proceed to pick up items with all effort given to do this in a safe, socially distanced and responsible way.
  • TCP staff will make every effort to arrive for the scheduled pickup on time. Please remain available until your item is picked up. 
  • In the event of a necessary change or cancellation, TCP will contact the donor via phone to communicate the change and reschedule.
  • After your appointment is scheduled, if you need to reschedule, you must call 512-943-0711 and begin the process again. You may cancel, but not reschedule in our email reminder system.
  • Items that are visibly damaged or not in working condition will not be accepted. This will be determined at the discretion of TCP drivers. To avoid this, please review accepted furniture donation list on the "Donate My Stuff" page and be sure items are clean and in good condition for selling.

Want to get a better look at that map and find all of our Donation information? Visit caringplacetx.org/donatemystuff.
What you Need to Know About Our Services to Those in Need...
Our format and hours have been modified due to COVID-19 and will stay updated at caringplacetx.org/covid19. We will scale up as resources and safety allow. Here are the details the community needs to know before arriving at The Caring Place for services or food:
Programs & Services via Telephone:

  • Hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
  • ServicesFinancial Assistance includes help with rent, mortgage, utilities, transportation, emergency dental and prescription assistance is available with a verifiable proof of crisis. All financial assistance will be handled remotely. Non-financial assistance (i.e. clothing, appliances, housewares, etc.) is not available at this time. Please call 512-943-0709 and leave a message regarding your need and someone will contact you within 48 business hours with the next steps. Please do not arrive at The Caring Place office unless instructed by staff. Programs & Services staff will direct you via phone if you need to print documents to return to our office at 2001 Railroad Avenue.
Food Programs:  

Fresh Food for Families and the Drive Through Food Pantry are open to all neighbors in need or impacted by COVID-19. The Caring Place practices social distancing, and you will not need to exit your vehicle during food distribution. You do not need to bring any documentation to receive food. You will only answer a few simple questions from your car. Have questions about Food Programs? Please call our main line at 512-943-0700.
Drive Through Food Pantry
On Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. join us in the 2000 Railroad drive through to receive shelf stable food items and occasional fresh items.
Fresh Food for Families
On the 1st, 3rd and 5th Monday of the month The Caring Place offers "Fresh Food for Families" in the 2000 Railroad Drive through. The fast-paced event runs 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. The next events are November 2nd, 16th, and 30th.

Food Programs in the Bartlett Area:

  • November 11th (2nd Wednesday of the month) 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church at 645 West Clark St. in Bartlett.
GIVING TUESDAY is December 1st!
The Spirit of Caring giving campaign is taking the place of The Caring Place's traditional seasonal fundraising events like Deep in the Heart of Caring, Hunger Free Holidays and Sweets, Treats and Trees. It will end on Giving Tuesday, December 1st! Do you normally like to give during the holiday season? Join this campaign!
Help us reach our $150,000 goal for neighbors in need by donating at caringplacetx.org/spiritofcaring. You can also send checks for this campaign to: The Caring Place, P.O. Box 1215, Georgetown, Texas, 78627. Please write "Spirit " in the memo line.
Breaking News & Meaningful Stories
A Picture is Worth 1000 Words: Goodbye, Summer!
By Jill Nalley
Goodbye, Summer! I took this picture in August. Don’t they say a picture is worth 1000 words? We were in the height of a Texas summer in this photo. I was filling in for a co-worker who went on vacation. The sun loves me, loves to burn me that is, so I put on my light blue wide-brimmed hat, my long-sleeved shirt from The Caring Place and my coolest shades to sweat out the morning with Lisa and Martin in the Food Pantry Drive-through line. Working the Food Pantry line reminds me of the Postal Service’s informal motto: “Neither snow nor rain nor heat...stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.” In the case of The Caring Place, we distribute food in all types of weather. Well, if it snows, let’s talk, this is Texas after all.  

There I was, standing outside on black pavement in August, hoping for a moment of shade, guzzling water, ready for a couple hours of intake...


Learn the Latest...
Press Release about new store hours coming soon!


Link to: Blog and Media
Need a Quick Guide to our Hours & Services?
Click on the image below to download a pdf flyer you can print & share! Thank you for being an ambassador for The Caring Place! Note: This flyer reflects NEW store hours which begin on November 9th! All locations are CLOSED November 26th and 27th for Thanksgiving. Our stores will be open on Saturday, November 28th for holiday shoppers!
Thank you for your support!