by Tom Olsen, Duluth News Tribune
April 27, 2024
CHISHOLM — Tucked away in an industrial park on the southern edge of town is what Sarah Gardeski jokingly describes as a “garage sale on steroids.”
A warehouse space in the back of the large concrete building is filled to the brim with countless household goods: bedding, pillows, towels, kitchen items, toys, office supplies, clothes, shoes and diapers.
But unlike a traditional garage sale, these items aren’t used and worn out. They’re brand-new, and they’re not even for sale.
The United Way of Northeastern Minnesota's Comforts of Home program makes household goods available for free to residents recovering from major emergencies or transitioning out of unstable living conditions.
“We want to not only help people in crisis,” said Gardeski, the program’s coordinator, “but kind of give them a leg up to find some stability in their lives.”