St. Vincent’s thrift stores could close

The fuel that runs the service engine of St. Vincent de Paul could close early next week.

Three St. Vincent de Paul thrift stores, the Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls, and Osburn locations, have remained open during countrywide crackdowns on nonessential business operations during the coronavirus pandemic. The organization’s executive director, Larry Riley, may close the stores both as a safety precaution and if the stores are no longer economically viable.

Sales from the thrift stores provide the majority of funds used to operate St Vincent de Paul’s HELP Center, homeless shelters, transitional, family, disabled, and senior housing, as well as its group homes and soup kitchen.

“I know I need to advocate on behalf of the homeless as the president proposes bailing out airlines and corporations ... you cannot forget this community,” Riley said.

Riley is working to ensure St. Vincent de Paul will have enough funding to continue its programs in the coming weeks. He has reached out to the Idaho Housing and Finance Association for a grant. St. Vincent de Paul will also lean on its partnerships with the Coeur d’Alene Salvation Army Kroc Center and Heritage Health.

St. Vincent de Paul will also be a grant recipient from the United Way CDA COVID-19 Relief Fund established earlier this week.

Donations to the relief fund will not be enough to sustain nonprofit businesses during this time. Money needs to be made available immediately from the government for small businesses and nonprofits to make payroll, Riley said.

“Governor Little is being very proactive,” Riley said. “He has reached out to this non-profit community: Tell us your story, tell us your needs. I have to applaud [him] for staying ahead of this.”

Information about the pandemic and CDC’s safety recommendations is shared with homeless individuals at Father Bill’s Kitchen. The kitchen will remain open Monday through Friday from 5 to 6:30 p.m., serving up to 100 meals per night.

The St. Vincent de Paul HELP Center is open. However, in-person access is restricted to protect employees and clients. The center has established tele-screening to serve people in need of housing assistance. The HELP Center can be reached at 664-3095.

At Safe Passage in Coeur d’Alene, advocates are available 24/7 to help domestic abuse survivors stay safe if they are spending more time at home. They encourage anyone in need of help to call their hotline at 664-9303 or email at safety@safepassageid.org or visit office locations.

“Every situation is different,” said Chauntelle Lieske, Safe Passage’s director. “We currently are keeping our office locations open.”

Lieske said the community needs to be mindful when encouraging people to isolate at home to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.

“It's not easy for everyone,” Lieske said.