The Kunkletown Thrift Store in the Eldred Township Community Center recently donated every sleeping bag and tent they received to Street2Feet, an outreach and homeless day center in Stroudsburg. In all, there were 15 sleeping bags and 10 tents.

Donna Deihl, the manager of the thrift shop, said the idea for the donation started a year ago. At that time, she and some of the volunteers at the thrift shop wondered who could really use the tents and sleeping bags. That’s when they thought of the homeless.

They also started brainstorming about other items homeless people could use. They started setting aside things like flashlights, lanterns, camping supplies, long johns, gloves and heavy socks from the items donated to them.

“We saved everything we could think of that a homeless person could use,” Deihl said. “We had nine boxes full.”

Word also got out that they were collecting items and Bulldog Liquidators contacted them with three pallets of goods to donate.

“It was unbelievable,” Deihl said.

There was food, which went to the West End Food Pantry. The food pantry shares the community center with the thrift store.

And new clothing items such as socks, underwear, bras, scarves and hats, as well as feminine hygiene products.

“Women are homeless, too,” Deihl said.

In addition to Street2Feet, items also went to the VALOR Clinic Foundation known for its work helping veterans with transitional housing.

“They do a lot for the homeless,” Deihl said. “I just want to thank all the people who donated.”

Deihl said the thrift shop is again going to collect throughout 2023 for the homeless - tents, sleeping bags and anything else they can use. She hopes there will be even more to give next year.