Philly AIDS Thrift is celebrating a major milestone in fundraising efforts to help the local community.
The South Philly staple announced it has raised $5 million from selling donated items. This year it will distribute $358,085 in grants to 34 charity organizations and programs centered on HIV/AIDS prevention, care and support in the Delaware Valley. Overall, it has given out $5 million via more than 250 grants to more than 50 local organizations.
“This year’s grants push us to an extraordinary milestone,” said Philly AIDS Thrift’s Board President Michael Byrne. “Over $5 million donated to the cause since our inception. We are forever grateful for our staff, our volunteers, our donors and our loyal customers – thank you sincerely from the bottom of our hearts.”
The three-story charity thrift store is located at 710 S. 5th St., just off South Street. The check presentation took place at the William Way LGBT Community Center, where staff and board members celebrated the milestone and grantees with a check presentation and celebration.
“This is by far my favorite moment of the entire year,” Byrne said. “To be able to have such a profound impact on programs that are doing tremendous work on behalf of individuals and communities impacted by HIV/AIDS across the Delaware Valley is truly humbling.”
According to officials, funding is more crucial than ever as community charity organizations throughout the country have been challenged by budget cuts, dwindling donations and other economic factors.
Although Philly AIDS Thrift was founded 20 years ago, the grant program began in 2014 to expand its services to the community. The grant program has maintained its commitment to funding essential services in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The support provided by these grants is more vital than ever in ensuring the resilience and well-being of affected communities.
Around the same time the grant program started, Philly AIDS Thrift also took over the operation of Giovanni’s Room, the oldest LGBT & Feminist bookstore in the nation. Located at 345 S. 12th St., it was renamed Philly AIDS Thrift @ Giovanni’s Room, honoring the 50-year legacy. Philly AIDS Thrift @ Giovanni’s Room features thrift items as well as used and new books.
A year later, Philly AIDS Thrift launched an HIV testing center inside its retail store, offering professional clinical testing alongside various HIV/AIDS charity organizations to provide no-charge, drop-in, rapid testing and related counseling services. The testing room helps to normalize HIV testing and remove stigma by providing an alternative for those who may find a clinical setting frightening.
Philly AIDS Thrift, which features thousands of items on three floors in the heart of the South Street Headhouse District, also provides store vouchers to local HIV/AIDS service providers for clients in need of clothing and household necessities.
“It is amazing to all of us that we have reached this monumental milestone,” said Philly AIDS Thrift executive director and cofounder Christina Kallas-Saritsoglou. “Our staff and volunteers work tirelessly every day to ensure we can make the biggest difference possible in the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS. We could not do it without our generous donors and enthusiastic shoppers. Philly AIDS Thrift welcomes donations of gently used items all year round, transforming them into proceeds for future grants and continued community impact.”
