By: NICOLAS FIERRO
Salina Post
"Do what you can, when you can and if we have it, we share it" is the motto for Salina Shares, which is meant to encourage others in giving to those who are less fortunate. Salina Shares gives away home goods without a price, fee or loan to those who need it the most.
Cheerful givers is an understatement for those who give at Salina Shares. Founder and Executive Director, Debbie Rivers has had a journey before the non-profit started.
It all began back in 2012, where Rivers and her friends decided to give away home goods for people in her garage. She called it the "Kindness Party" and they would consistently give to the needy on a weekly basis.
Fast forward to 2013, Rivers and her friends started to receive public attention. Rivers then received a call from the Salina Housing Authority and asked her if she can help meet the needs of some of the families they received for service. Rivers then decided to help those families, because they had plenty of stuff to still give away. After this, Rivers and her friends started to serve at laundromats, by offering to pay for people's laundry.
This kindness from Rivers and her companions is what sparked the countless conversations from the public of potentially becoming a non-profit.
"I never thought about becoming a non-profit," said Rivers. "All we wanted to do was just share what we had and do people's laundry."
The Birth of Salina Shares
Throughout constant persuasions from the public on encouraging Rivers to become a non-profit, in 2014, two people decided to give Rivers $200 each to pay the fee of becoming a non-profit. However, Rivers did not use it right away.
"Those $400 sat on my shelf for two years," said Rivers. "Becoming a non-profit was never the intention."
After two years of much thought and continuous convincing from the public, Rivers decided to start "Salina Shares."
"I wrestled with this in my heart with God, because I did not want people to think I was becoming a non-profit for monetary reasons," said Rivers.
The Growth of Salina Shares
Once Salina Shares started, the following year in 2017, a rental company proposed to help Rivers and her team obtain a primary location. Rivers was shocked when this offer came to her, but she was more than grateful to accept it.
When the building was purchased, the rental company renovated the structure and it became the current location that Salina Shares rents on 155 S. 5th St.
"This was a God thing," said Rivers. "These people are the same way as us, because our service just like them is unto the Lord and not about the money."
Rivers and her team continue to serve the community in ways that even leave an impact on their lives. She is impacted by the testimonies and current conditions that people face when they are in need. Rivers commented on how she feels when helping the less fortunate.
"I feel like this is what I am supposed to be doing and I love what I do," said Rivers. "My husband just retired and he asked when I was going to retire, but I told him I don't know because this does not feel like anything to retire from."
Services Salina Shares Provides
Salina Shares provides home goods such as, clothes, shoes, hygiene, food, blankets, pots/pans, cleaners, beds and much more.
They accept donations and currently need items that include pots & pans (new or used - especially large skillets), City Go bus passes ($5 a strip), can openers (new), large adult backpacks (used), toilet bowl brushes and bowl cleaners, dish soap, multi-surface cleaners and travel or full size personal hygiene supplies.
"God knows your needs," stated Rivers.
For the Salina Shares website and to donate, go to: https://www.salinashares.org/