By Roger Brantley
The Purple Shoe Thrift Shoppe is a Non-profit organization with a thrift store in Zebulon. The shop has helped over 20 woman get to safety because of domestic violence. They also work with other local groups to care for community members of all ages.
October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and a good time to spotlight this organization that assists domestic violence victims all year.
All of The Purple Shoe Thrift Shoppe’s profits go to benefit state-wide domestic violence programs. The clothes, shoes, accessories and furniture that they sell are received in donations, allowing them to raise funds without incurring significant costs.
Denise Nowell, Executive Director of the Zebulon Chamber of Commerce, said, “The Zebulon Chamber is proud to have The Purple Shoe Thrift Shoppe as an active member and contributor to our community. Domestic violence is such a dire issue and the more discussion we have, the more awareness and outreach we have.”
As of mid-October, Purple Shoe has served over 1,000 people in the five surrounding counties since the one year anniversary of the opening of the Purple Cottage. They sponsor brown bag lunches, Swimming to Jesus, Jesus in the Park, and bookbag Jamboree. They also mentor kids in poverty.
The Purple Shoe donates children’s clothes and men’s clothes to Note in Pocket, and Dream Coat and SHARE for their monthly Jesus in The Park. Through SHARE, kids in public housing get clothes.
Purple Shoe also gives slightly-used furniture, clothes, lamps, tables and chairs, washer and dryers back to the community.
This year, the shoppe also partnered with DEW4Him and SHARE to donate 200 mattresses to kids living in poverty to give kids beds instead of their sleeping on floors and couches.
They also sponsor the Toys For Tots program for kids in public housing and poverty sections of Zebulon and Wendell.
The Purple Shoe Thrift Shoppe is located at 407 W Gannon Avenue in Zebulon. To donate or with questions, call the Shoppe at 919.269.0109.
