Ruth’s House, the Lafayette Square thrift shop, has received a $20,000 grant from the George C. Wadleigh Foundation.
The Foundation awards grants primarily to organizations caring for indigent seniors and individuals in the Greater Haverhill area.
“In any given one-month period, Ruth’s House provides nearly 16,000 articles of clothing to low income families and individuals,” said Barbara Donegan, board president. “We are again grateful to the George C. Wadleigh Foundation for supporting Ruth’s House in our mission of providing clothing to those in need, as well as providing job skills training.”
The grant supports the Elderly Coat, Client Clothing and Child Pajama Programs, among others. Under the coat program, every qualifying senior age 50 and up receives a new or gently used winter coat, with a hat, scarf and gloves. Last year, Ruth’s House provided more than 200 coats and accessories to elders. The Child Pajama Program provides new pajamas to each child in every client family. Ruth’s House also provides new socks and underwear to more than 2,400 individuals in 2019, of which 25% were elderly; gently used or new bras for women; and toiletries for all.
Besides its charity programs, Ruth’s House has operated a public thrift shop since 1992.