Holding Hands Helps Everyone in Oxford, Mississippi

On January 2013, Donna Howard opened Holding Hands Thrift Shop in Oxford to employ people with mental illness.

“I don’t know what I expected when I did this but it’s been good,” said Howard. “We’re able to pay our bills and pay our employees and keep our doors open. It’s been really good.”

Every item sold at Holding Hands is donated. The store takes clothing, decorations and furniture Mondays through Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Recently, The Young Professionals of Oxford and Cannon Motors pooled money together to buy the business a delivery truck. Howard added that she sees an average of 50 transactions a day and has a regular set of customers.

What separates this thrift shop though is that Holding Hands will drop off furniture or pick up donations at private homes.

“We try to help not just the people that work here, although their parents tell me all the time how good its been for them but, we help anybody that needs help,” said Howard. “If your house is burned or if you’re having a hard time and you need things. Pretty much all you have to do is just ask and we’ll try to help you out as much as we can.”

Holding Hands has been in business for three and a half years and has nine employees. Shop or donate at the store located at 2618 West Oxford Loop.

Jac Bedrossian is an intern at HottyToddy.com. She is a student at the Meek School of Journalism and New Media. She can be reached at jacbtv@aol.com.

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