TINLEY PARK, IL — Those who have been hanging on to clothing donations for Tinley Park’s Together We Cope resale shop hopefully won’t have much longer to wait.
The reopening of the beloved and essential Tinley Park social services agency is closer still, with officials saying they expect the resale shop to open in March. They’ll begin accepting donations at that time, said Marge Seltzner, director of communications for the agency. The re-opening of the food pantry is expected to follow a few weeks later, Seltzner said.
Together We Cope’s main building at 17010 S. Oak Park Ave. in Tinley Park has remained closed while repairs continued after a November 2022 fire shut down its client services office, food pantry and Nu2u resale shop. Hurdles have pushed the reopening several times, but officials now say they’re eyeing the finish line.
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Officials this month showed Together We Cope’s revamped headquarters to Illinois Congressman Sean Casten when he visited the agency this month as it prepares to reopen. Executive Director Kathryn Straniero led a tour of the remodeled building.
Last fall, final work completed included some upgrades to plumbing, electrical and office spaces. In August, workers closed up the agency’s original entrance, then converting into a window, and creating a new entrance. Work was completed on new dressing rooms in the resale shop, and some improved efficiencies in the food pantry.
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Delays in the reopening have been caused by a series of construction setbacks, including a change of contractors midway through the process. In January, the agency had been eyeing an April opening. Seltzner said in May the nonprofit had been dealt $100,000 in losses not covered by insurance.
The nonprofit is working from its administration building temporarily, to meet the needs of clients beyond food and clothing issues. With over 200 volunteers, community donations of food, clothing and household goods, and groceries purchased from the Greater Chicago Food Depository, the agency typically serves more than 1,500 families each month. Their services reach 27 communities, including Alsip, Blue Island, Bridgeview, Chicago Ridge, Country Club Hills, Crestwood, Evergreen Park, Garden Homes, Harvey, Hazel Crest, Hickory Hills, Hometown, Homewood, Markham, Merrionette Park, Midlothian, Oak Forest, Oak Lawn, Orland Hills, Orland Park, Palos Heights, Palos Hills, Palos Park, Posen, Robbins, Tinley Park and Worth.
Without their main space, the agency has been unable to accept most of its usual items: no food, clothing or furniture donations can be accepted at the main building while repairs are being made. The agency can accept personal care items for families in need, and smaller donations of food. Donations of diapers and baby food, specifically, are welcome. Donors can call 708-633-5040 to arrange for delivery of such items to their administration building.
Anyone needing food assistance while Together We Cope’s food pantry is unavailable can go to the Greater Chicago Food Depository website, www.chicagosfoodbank.org, and click on the “Find Food” button to find a food pantry near them. The agency has also set up a makeshift food pantry at its administrative offices, for emergency cases.
Donors are encouraged to keep their like-new or gently-used clothing and housewares for an eventual resale shop opening. Together We Cope is also still accepting monetary donations via its website.
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