Hospital Thrift Shop Donates $351,000 To Nantucket Cottage Hospital

The Hospital Thrift Shop will donate $351,000 to Nantucket Cottage Hospital this year, with the money earmarked for cardiac rehabilitation equipment, new birthing beds, and newborn hearing screening tools.

“We are deeply grateful to our staff, customers, donors, and volunteers who make this gift possible," said Jennifer Anderson, the Thrift Shop’s board president. “Our goal, as always, is to support NCH and serve our community as we have for nearly 100 years.”

Additionally, the India Street thrift shop is planning an expansion of its own, as the hospital moves forward with its new medical and residential buildings at 16 and 18 Vesper Lane, which were recently approved by the Planning Board. Last year’s Thrift Shop donation of $660,000 went towards that hospital expansion. Previously, the Thrift Shop relied in part on storage at the hospital's property where the expansion will occur, prompting the Thrift Shop’s own move to find additional space.

“The board has decided to retain a portion of our earnings to strengthen our financial reserves as we continue actively exploring opportunities to purchase or lease real estate,” Anderson told the Current. “Securing a location to replace the storage and services previously provided at Gouin Village will enhance our ability to fulfill our mission of providing affordable goods to our growing community and financially supporting the hospital. Maintaining these financial resources is a critical part of planning for the future of [the hospital thrift store] and demonstrates our long-term commitment to the community.”

In a press release, the Thrift Shop said that it needs to purchase or lease additional space to receive and store incoming donations and ensure that the store stays stocked. Anderson told the Current that they expect to have an agreement finalized by the end of the month.

Founded in 1929, the hospital thrift shop has expanded dramatically in the last century. Its first donation more than 90 years ago was $603. Open from mid-May through mid-October, it relies on residents who donate gently used items, shoppers looking for deals, numerous volunteers who devote their time and energy, and a small staff that runs the organization's daily operations.