Twice But Nice, a non-profit thrift store in Fort Saskatchewan, held its annual general meeting on Thursday, with nearly 50 people in attendance.
During the meeting the non-profit shared their achievements throughout 2023, their goals for 2024, while recognizing retiring members, and electing new directors.
For example, Rosanna Frey and Phyllis Waite had retired as Directors-at-Large, with Phyllis’ husband Steve also retiring as a store volunteer.
Steve had helped replace all of the stores lighting to LEDs, one of the many projects that the store undertook throughout the year. Other highlights included the store granting over $30,000 back to the community, the store bringing in over 3,500 volunteer hours, and a 30 per cent increase in donations.
There was also the installation of a new roof, the first replacement of its kind since the location had first opened in the 90s.
The store had also been honoured at the Fort Saskatchewan and District Chamber of Commerce Business Awards as the Non-Profit Organization of the Year.
Twice But Nice also went over some of their plans in 2024.
“Redesign of our payment counter, continuing interior painting, revamp of our staff kitchen area, an external Health and Safety audit, review of our policies and procedure, as well as compensation standards are items on our task list for the year,” said president Judy Rehill.
Grant recipients were also given the opportunity to speak about what their grants went towards, with speakers from several local organizations, including the Paperbag Fairies, the Sheeptown Players, Kidsport, and the Fort Saskatchewan Food Bank.
One of the biggest grants was of $6,000 for the food bank’s Christmas Turkey’s, which helped to feed over 1,000 people last Christmas.
Other recipients included funding the breakfast program at St. Andre Bessette, a family bowling party for Hosting Ukrainians in Fort Saskatchewan, and the new playground at Our Lady of The Angels Catholic School.
Sales were up 20 per cent from the previous year as well, with the organization hoping to have an overall grant distribution of $1 million before their 40th anniversary in 2025.
