The Mop Shop is the brain-child of Mindy and Missy Dalgarn who became aware of the need for cleaning supplies during the 2013 holiday season. They were surprised and saddened to discover that a significant number of county residents included “cleaning supplies” on their holiday wish lists hanging on the angel tree in the lobby of a local bank. In follow-up conversations with various community agencies, food pantries, and the regional food bank, it became clear that while the need was acknowledged, food pantries’ primary focus was, understandably, on the procurement and distribution of food. Based upon the premise that if people cannot afford food, they likely cannot afford cleaning supplies, The Mop Shop was created. Its most basic goal is to insure families possess the primary ingredients necessary to live in a clean, safe, and healthy environment, an environment that enhances an individual’s self esteem. With a donation of space from the Village of Elizabeth and a seed grant from The Pollination Project, The Mop Shop opened its doors in the Municipal Building last August. The shop is open every Monday, with the exception of holidays, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. In just 6 months, nearly 250 clients and family members, from nine communities within the county, have registered. Clients need only indicate that they are “in need” and complete a one-time registration sheet. Operating as a NON 501(c)(3) charitable organization, The Mop Shop relies solely on the generosity and goodwill of local businesses, community organizations, churches, schools, family and friends. TMS received early support from Tammy’s Piggly Wiggly, Timothy’s Table, Gasser’s True Value, the University of Illinois Extension, Galena Bible Church, and the employees at Premier Bank in Dubuque. Since then, The Lord of Love Lutheran Church in Galena has designated the third Sunday of every month as “Mop Shop Sunday,” Galena’s Taste of Home Cooking School donated $500, and the Galena Territory Association office staff, Apple River State Bank, friends and family made generous donations over the holidays. Most recently, 12 cases of mops and brooms were donated by the Libman Company, a $250 donation was received from Premier Bank, and the Jo Daviess County 4-H Federation is putting the finishing touches on a winter “Rag Drive.” Goals for 2015 include increasing the organization’s outreach, adding to its volunteer roster, partnering with the county transit system to provide transportation to clients, promoting TMS through social media and continued donation solicitation. While the local Mop Shop has continued to grow, it is the Dalgarns’ ultimate vision that THIS Mop Shop be the first among many and that it serve as a blueprint for others in the Tri-State area and throughout the nation. To learn more visit www.themopshop.org or find The Mop Shop on Facebook. For further information, please contact Missy Dalgarn at 815-776-0012 or [email protected]
