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Lifelong's bittersweet move to shutter Capitol Hill thrift store, expand services in larger space

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Lifelong's bittersweet move to shutter Capitol Hill thrift store, expand services in larger space

For over 40 years, the nonprofit Lifelong has been fighting for and serving marginalized communities through food and nutrition access, housing services, and HIV support. CEO Erica Sessle recently made an announcement that may come at a cost to the Capitol Hill community.

"This spring, we will move from our current Lucile Street location to a new, larger facility in Georgetown. This move will enable us to significantly enhance our kitchen and warehouse operations, paving the way to better serve the growing needs of our neighbors," Sessle stated.

The new facility, located in Georgetown Yards on East Marginal Way South, is over twice as large as the current space, Sessle said. It will feature a larger kitchen and warehouse storage spaces, and improved programmatic and administrative areas.

Sessle said these changes will allow the organization to increase meal production, smoothen grocery distribution, and expand services to meet future needs of Seattle residents.

"As part of this planning, we have made the difficult decision to close the Lifelong Thrift Store in Capitol Hill when our lease ends on March 31," Sessle said. "For years, the thrift store has been a cherished community hub, and its legacy is a testament to the care and compassion that defines Lifelong."

Despite this impending loss, Sessle said Lifelong will continue to prioritize its core services, like food and nutrition, housing access, insurance, dental care, aging and disability services, and medical case management.

During a period of growth decades ago, Lifelong was formed through the merger of two nonprofits that responded to the AIDS epidemic. Lifelong Thrift started out as the Chicken Soup Brigade Thrift Store, with the goal of providing home care, rides to medical providers, and food. The store has long been dedicated to serving the Queer community, including a program that provides $25 vouchers to those living with HIV to connect them with services and items they need.

For more information visit https://www.lifelong.org.

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