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The Mop Shop News of 2022

  • As 2022 comes to a close, heartfelt thanks are being sent to our generous donors, our dedicated volunteers and our appreciative clients and family members.  Volunteers at The Mop Shop look forward to continuing our efforts as we flip the calendar to 2023.  Happy holidays and best wishes for a safe and healthy New Year! (December 2022) 

  • The Mop Shop will be open on Saturday, December 10, from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon.  Thanks to our generous donors, the shelves are fully stocked!  We're looking forward to seeing our many clients.  Happy holidays and best wishes for a healthy New Year! (December 2022)

  • Many thanks to the Scales Mound 4-H Club for their recent donation to The Mop Shop.  Their enclosed note read, "We respect what you do for the low income or needy individuals and families for our Jo Daviess County community."  Kudos to the students for recognizing the need to lend a hand to those less fortunate.  (November 2022)

  • Just as our outreach efforts increased, the Knights of Columbus made another very generous donation to The Mop Shop.  What perfect timing! The need for nearly all products will increase significantly. Paper towels, Dawn dish soap, toilet bowl cleaner, disinfecting wipes, laundry detergent, fabric softener and dryer sheets will fly off the shelves faster than ever.  Nearly 200 items are selected by clients each month! We couldn't meet their needs without support from our generous donors. Thank you so much! Hats off to the Knights of Columbus!  (November 2022)

  • Thanks to Ann Tracey and other members of the congregation at the Crossroads Community Church of Galena for their recent product donation to The Mop Shop.  Popular items that included paper towels, Dawn dish soap, and laundry detergent were among the many items delivered to The Mop Shop in mid-November.  Many thanks for supporting our efforts! (November 2022)

  • Conversations took place with Heidi O'Shea, social worker at Galena schools, regarding the need for cleaning supplies among school families.  Pre-packaged bags of cleaning products will be made available to those in need via the Pirate Pantry.  Mop Shop Volunteer Kris Nelson will head up the initiative.  The Mop Shop is happy to reach out to the schools to accommodate those in need.  Many thanks to Kris for taking the lead on this new outreach effort! (November 2022)​

  • The Mop Shop provided 450 colorful flyers to be inserted in holiday gifts bags and food baskets prepared and distributed by the Elks Club and the First Community Bank of Galena of Apple River State Bank.  Volunteers at The Mop Shop look forward to welcoming new clients and their family members in the New Year.  Many thanks to the First Community Bank and the Elks Club for sponsoring the "Brighter Christmas" initiative and helping us spread the word about The Mop Shop!  Happy holidays to all! (November 2022)​

  • Mindy met with 15 members of the Kiwanis Club of Galena during their October 25 meeting at Emmy Lou's Cafe.  She provided a brief historical summary of how, when and why The Mop Shop was established and explained the challenges and opportunities that occurred during COVID. We appreciate the opportunity to share the story of The Mop Shop...past, present and future...with our donors!  Many thanks to the Kiwanians! (October 2022)​

  • Three volunteers from The Mop Shop met with staff members at Riverview Center, a local social service agency that provides free and confidential services to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.  Pre-packaged bags that include laundry detergent, dryer sheets, bar soap, dish soap, garbage bags, Comet and some personal care items will be available to those in need. It's a pleasure and privilege to support the efforts of the staff at Riverview Center and the survivors they serve. (October 2022)

  • 4-H Clubs within Jo Daviess County have extended their support of The Mop Shop since the doors opened in August of 2014.  Mindy was pleased to accept multiple large boxes of product from Angela Miller, 4-H Program Coordinator, on October 14.  Club members selected four organizations to support during the Illinois State Fair.  4-Hers collected cleaning supplies to support those served at The Mop Shop.  Paper towels, dish soap, disinfecting wipes, multi-surface cleaners, sponges, buckets, laundry detergent and dryer sheets were among the products collected.  Many thanks to the students for lending a hand to those less fortunate.  (October 2022)​

  • Plastic shelving in our storage room served us well for over eight years.  However, the wear and tear has taken its toll and the shelves were no longer stable as the corner reinforcement pieces cracked and ultimately broke.  Two new units, 6 feet tall and 4 feet wide, with metal frames and composite shelves, were purchased on sale.  They were assembled on site by our brother Chris during a recent visit from the west coast.  With a depth of 24 inches, we're confident the shelves will meet our needs for years to come!  Thanks for your help Chris! (October 2022)​

  • Mop Shop volunteer Pat Alspaugh dedicated time, attention, talent, and funds in an effort to reach out to those within Jo Daviess County who may not be familiar with The Mop Shop.  Working with a graphic designer at Staples in Dubuque, Pat had bright-colored posters printed for distribution to all the food pantries within the county.  In addition, she had 500 fliers printed to share with schools, social service agencies, the Jo Daviess County Health Department, laundromats and more.  Thank you Pat for your extraordinary commitment to helping those less fortunate. (September 2022)

  • Mindy was invited to join the nearly 130 women who participated in the Eagle I's Invitational Golf Tournament for lunch on August 9.  The Eagle I's have been generous supporters of The Mop Shop for five years.  It was a pleasure and privilege to be able to extend a personal thank you for their on-going support of our cause.  The women play a key role in making our community the special place we all call home. Thank you ladies! (August 2022)​

  • Happy Anniversary!  The Mop Shop opened its door on August 4, 2014.  Twenty people representing 34 family members were welcomed that first morning.  Fast-forward 8 years and eight volunteers at The Mop Shop have registered 1,201 clients and family members from 10 communities within Jo Daviess County. Generous donors from across the country...from Washington to Florida and California to Rhode Island...have supported our cause.  We couldn't do what we do without them.  Their generosity continued throughout the pandemic and for that we are all most grateful!  On January 12, 2022, we received news that approval had been granted for the establishment of a Mop Shop in a suburb of Cincinnati! That has always been our goal...that mop shops become as prolific as food pantries.  And now there are two!  (August 2022)

  • Thanks to our generous donors, shelves at The Mop Shop are fully stocked!  We look forward to seeing clients on Saturday, August 13, from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon.  For the health and safety of clients and volunteers, please wear masks when inside the building.  Thanks! (July 2022)

  • ALERT!  An auction will take place in the gym at the Northwest Academy on Saturday, July 9. While The Mop Shop will be open for clients, please be aware that the parking lot and hallways will be congested.  The check-in table will be relocated further down the hall, but Mop Shop volunteers will be on hand to provide direction.  We're looking forward to seeing you on July 9 from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon!  (June 2022)

  • BREAKING NEWS, MONDAY, JUNE 6, 2022 at NOON.  I have been advised that there will be no access to The Mop Shop on Saturday, June 11, due to an event scheduled in the gym.  For that reason, volunteers will be distributing pre-packaged bags from the lower level parking area, just outside the Food Basket. Items distributed will include paper towels, Dawn dish soap, Glade, bleach, disinfecting wipes, laundry detergent and dryer sheets.  We apologize for the inconvenience, extend heartfelt thanks to the Food Basket for their ongoing support, and look forward to seeing you on Saturday.  Please drive with care as the area will be congested.  (June 2022)​

  • The Mop Shop will be open on Saturday, June 11, from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon with shelves fully stocked to meet the needs of our clients.  St. Stephens Food Bank, a branch of River Bend Food Bank, will again have a variety of food available for Mop Shop clients.  We look forward to seeing you! (June 2022)​

  • WELCOME BACK INSIDE!  The Mop Shop will welcome clients back inside the building on Saturday, May 14, from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon!  Select 3 higher value items and 3 lower value items plus laundry detergent and fabric softener every other month.  New clients are welcome! For the health and safety of clients and volunteers, please wear masks.  We're looking forward to seeing you soon! (May 2022)​

  • The Mop Shop has been deep cleaned and reorganized and the shelves are fully stocked as we prepare to welcome our clients back inside the building! The shop itself has been closed for two years due to COVID, but we remained committed to meeting the needs of our clients.  Prepackaged bags and laundry detergent were distributed from various locations during the past 24 months.  We are thrilled to reopen and are eager to see our clients!  Thanks to our generous donors, clients may now choose three higher value items and three lower value items each month.  Laundry detergent and fabric softener will continue being offered every other month.  Due to space limitations inside the shop, masks will be required. The health and safety of our clients and volunteers remain our top priorities. We look forward to seeing you on May 14! (April 2022)​

  • Please join us on Saturday, April 9, between 10:00 am and 12:00 noon! Pre-packaged bags will be delivered to your vehicle.  Just pull up to the main entrance of the Northwest Academy and a volunteer will deliver product to you.  Plans are underway to reopen The Mop Shop on Saturday, May 14.  We are very eager to welcome you back inside the building!  Due to limited space in the waiting area as well as the shop, we ask that you wear a mask.  The health and safety of our clients and volunteers are our top priorities.  Many thanks!  (March 2022) ​

  • Please stop by The Mop Shop between 10:00 am and 12:00 noon on Saturday, March 12.  We will be open to provide clients with pre-packaged bags of cleaning products.  Items included change each month.  Please remain in your vehicle and a volunteer will deliver the packaged items to you.  Masks are a must!  It is our hope that clients will be able to enter The Mop Shop on May 14.  Please check the website for further details in April.  See you in March!  (February 2022)​

  • The Jo Daviess County Health Department has reported that the number of COVID-19 cases and contacts are the highest they have been during the pandemic.  The Mop Shop remains committed to meeting the needs of our clients in the months ahead.  Please pull up to the front entrance of the Northwest Academy and remain in your vehicle.  A volunteer will deliver a prepackaged bag to your trunk or back seat.  For the health and safety of everyone, masks are a must.  We look forward to seeing you on Saturday, February 12 between 10:00 am and 12:00 noon.  See you then!  (January 2022)​

  • Breaking News!  A second Mop Shop has been established in a suburb of Cincinnati, Ohio!  Karen Landoch, a volunteer at our Mop Shop, shared our story and encouraged a friend to open a Mop Shop in her community.  Approval by the administrative council at her church was granted on Wednesday, January 12!  They will start small, but space and an initial funding source have been identified.  When Missy and I established The Mop Shop seven and a half years ago, it was our hope that Mop Shops would become as prolific as food baskets...and now there are two!  I know Missy is smiling from above! (January 2022)​

  • According to the CDC Data, as of Thursday, December 30, 2021, Jo Daviess County had a high level of community transmission. For that reason, The Mop Shop will once again be distributing pre-packaged product.  Please feel free to visit us from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon on Saturday, January 8.  Just pull up to the main entrance doors at the Northwest Special Education Academy, remain in your vehicle, and a volunteer will be happy to deliver product to your back seat or trunk.  Masks are a must!  Please help everyone stay safe and healthy in the New Year. We hope to see you Saturday!(January 2022) 

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