The Kiwanis Shop of Anacortes is a volunteer-run thrift store that raises money for scholarships and grants that benefit local residents.
Reporter
The Kiwanis Shop of Anacortes is a volunteer-run thrift store that raises money for scholarships and grants that benefit local residents.
With $82,000 in community grants and $102,000 in scholarships for graduating seniors, the Kiwanis Club of Anacortes Foundation put more money back into the community during the past fiscal year than ever before.
“Seeing our total financial awards at $184,000 is very rewarding for us after a few challenging years,” Doug Erlandson, president of the Kiwanis Club of Anacortes, said in a news release.
Kiwanis provides grants and scholarships with revenues from its downtown Anacortes thrift shop, with an endowment providing a bit more for its scholarship fund.
In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic forced all shops to close temporarily. So, for the next few years, Kiwanis drew from its reserves to maintain its annual giving.
In 2023, Kiwanis spent $85,000 to replace the truck it uses for furniture deliveries and pickups. That same year, it spent another $250,000 to both enclose and expand its thrift shop.
“We used to have to cover it with tarps when the rains would come,” said Chuck Flagg, a member of the Kiwanis Club’s board of directors.
To cover those costs, Kiwanis took out a loan and continued drawing down its reserves, which fell from $226,000 in 2020 to $66,000 in 2024 as a result.
“Our thrift shop operation has improved dramatically following the remodel,” Erlandson said.
This year’s grant awards are up from a low of $47,000 in 2023, while scholarship awards are up from a low of $35,000 in 2021 and 2022.
“In 2025, we were able to increase our total awards for grants and scholarships to historically record levels,” said Flagg.
Some of Kiwanis’ largest grant awards this year include $9,000 each for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Anacortes and the Anacortes Family Center.
Grants of $5,000 each went to Food To Go Anacortes, Fidalgo Nature School, SIGN Fracture Care International and Mercy Ships.
“This past year was by far our best year,” Flagg said, “and we’re hoping this next year will be even better.”
Kiwanis also expects to be able to continue to bolster its reserves, which currently stand at $130,000.
“With major expenses behind us and the improved shop operation, we are very optimistic about our ability to provide enhanced support to the children of our community in the years to come,” Flagg said.
In addition to providing grants and scholarships, Kiwanis sponsors several service clubs, including the Key Club at Anacortes High School, the Builders Club at the middle school and K-Kids at the Fidalgo Elementary School.
Kiwanis also sponsors the Aktion Club, which provides an opportunity for activities and community involvement for adults with disabilities.
Nicholas Johnson can be reached at njohnson@goanacortes.com or (360) 732-1753.
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