Watt Farms donates many market items to Community Action

Chris and Karen Watt have retired from the business

From left, Chris and Karen Watt are with Renee Hungerford, director of Community Action of Orleans and Genesee, and Main Street store manager Cassie Healy, after the Watts donated truckloads of merchandise to the store.

ALBION – Community Action’s Main Street Thrifts, Gifts and More Store recently received a massive donation of merchandise that will result in tremendous benefit to the store, and ultimately, the community.

“We are so excited about this generous gift,” said Renee Hungerford, director of Community Action of Orleans and Genesee. “Since I have been in healthcare, Karen has always been a strong advocate for me and my work, and for that I am truly grateful.”

Store manager Cassie Healy explained how the donation came about.

“Several weeks ago, I received a call from Karen asking if there was any way we could pick up some stuff from their gift shop,” Healy said. “She said there was shelving and lots of merchandise.”

“Lots” turned out to be an understatement.

“We filled our trucks twice and our van two or three times,” Healy said.

 Merchandise included the entire stock of Watts Farm former gift shop and farm market, such as garden and lawn décor, pictures, a lot of gift items (all new) and cabinets.

Karen Watt stands amid some of the items she recently donated to Community Action’s Main Street Thrifts, Gifts and More Store.

“This is going to help our entire agency,” Healy said. “We are going to send some shelving to our other locations. This merchandise will offer our customers new options when shopping and expand our customer base. There are many things we don’t usually have, such as outdoor flags, garden decorations and greeting cars. Our shelves are bursting at the seams.”

“We are incredibly grateful to Karen Watt and Watt Farms for their generous donations from the former farm market,” Hungerford said. “These items are a wonderful addition to our Main Street Corner Thrifts, Gifts and More store, helping us continue to offer quality merchandise at affordable proves for our community. Partnerships like this make a meaningful difference, and we really appreciate their support.”

The store is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday and from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays in the summer.

The store is located at 131 South Main St. in Albion.