Dejana Foundation Matches Grant to Renovate Twin Pines

If you haven’t visited the brand-spanking-new Twin Pines Charitable Community Thrift Shop since it received a major facelift this past spring, you’re missing a great shopping adventure. For well over 40 years, Twin Pines operated as a food cooperative where volunteers received discounts on food products, much of which was donated by groups such as Island Harvest. A thrift shop also operated in the same space, which is still located in the Community Chest Building at 382 Main Street (entrance on Prospect Avenue).

New management decided the fresh food was no longer needed, but a thrift shop should stay and be dramatically improved upon. Once a grant was approved, matching funds were needed to complete the project. Enter The Peter & Jeri Dejana Family Foundation. “I contacted Jim Avena, the Dejana Foundation’s Grant Administrator as soon as we knew we needed matching funds for the grant to be allocated,” Twin Pines Co-President Marie Marcellino said. “Thankfully, Jim agreed that this project was important to the entire community, but especially to lower income families that needed good merchandise at affordable prices.”

The end result of this renovation is a spectacular bright and spacious shopping experience, with rooms and departments featuring clothing, toys, household items and more. Everything is clearly visible, not crowded and, yes, very inexpensive. “We was taken aback when I visited Twin Pines after the renovations,” Jim Avena said. “What was a dusty, unkempt area has been completely transformed into an amazing shopping experience. The Dejana Foundation is honored to have been able to help make this ‘facelift’ possible.”

Twin Pines is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, whose efforts include: clothing through local programs, home healthcare products and non-perishable food products free of charge or very low prices for those in need; work opportunities for Nicholas Center students; and, Community Service hours.

Twin Pines Thrift Shop is open Tuesday – Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and Sunday from 12:00 – 5:00 p.m. Donated items can be made by appointment only between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. Tuesday – Saturday. Financial donations and volunteers are also greatly appreciated. Call 516-883-9777 for further information.

(In photo) Twin Pines’ Co-President Marie Marcellino and Peter & Jeri Dejana Family Foundation Grant Administrator Jim Avena in the Thrift Shop’s toy room.