Clayton thrift store that supports domestic violence victims needs donations

Pizazz thrift store in Clayton

By: Marilyn Peguero | NBC-17
Published: July 16, 2011

A Clayton thrift store that supports hundreds of domestic violence victims each year is in dire need of donations.

The Pizazz thrift store, located at 132 E. Main Street, is a lifeline for the county’s only domestic violence shelter, called Harbor.

The shelter helps hundreds of abused women each year, like Arnetta Fayecooley, who spoke with NBC-17 in a 2008 interview.

"I left with 15 cents in my pocket, my two children, my dog, no job, no money in the bank," she said. "For someone to bounce back off of a situation like that, it takes a lot of help."

Sales from the store help keep the shelter open.

“We literally keep our lights on, we keep food in the shelter, we put gas in our vehicles to transport women to look for jobs to help them get back on their feet and become self-sufficient,” said Executive Director Keri Christensen.

Cash from the thrift shop is especially important during these summer months, when the shelter’s funding from the state is being held up, Christensen said.

But while plenty of customers walk into Pizazz, donations have dried up. The store’s sorting room is almost bare.

“You’re scraping up the pennies and the dollars to keep the doors open and keep the funding going,” Christensen said.

Pizazz needs gently used women’s clothing and accessories.

The store, located, at 132 E. Main Street, is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays. Call (919) 550-1915 for more information.

The shelter also has a thrift shop in Smithfield, located at 119 N. 3rd Street, which also accepts books, children’s clothing and household items.