I had a most humiliating experience at the McMinnville St. Vincent DePaul Social Office. I am 51 years old and disabled. I am permanently disabled from a Traumatic Brain Injury, I received from an assault and traumatic experience. I have multiple conditions and carry medical information in my wallet to explain my cognitive deficits. I am in a crisis situation from multiple abuse, one of which was identity theft. $600.00 was taken from my checking account and caused a series of events of financial failure. It was my disability money. I went to get some assistance for my utility bill. Sitting and filling out the form, a man came in and asked if anyone was driving a green Chevy Tahoe. My vehicle is a GMC Yukon, so I paid no mind. He asked who was driving the vehicle parked next to the trailer. I said that might be me , I had parked there because the lot was completely full. He said to move the vehicle and I complied saying yes I will move it. I have difficulties with filling out paperwork being disabled and tried to finish writing my name on the papers. The man stood 1 foot away from me and demanded and commanded me to get up and move it now. Being a citizen in a public place and a polite individual I tried to explain that I needed to finish writing my name. He told me to get up and move the vehicle or he would "86" me from "his" property. I got up to move the vehicle. On the way there he followed me 2 feet from me and stared me down with a very disgusting look in his eyes. I told him to leave me alone and get away from me. He did not. He badgered me all the way to my vehicle. When he reached my car, he said he wanted "his" clipboard . I said I need it because when I move the vehicle I was going to go back and finish my business. He said no you are not, I am "86" you from "my " property. I told him it wasn't his property . He said he was going to call the police . I then threw the clipboard out my window... and proceeded to exchange words and left the property. In all of my years ... as a professional Union Cardholder of the I.A.T.S.E. working in the entertainment industry, (Super Bowl, Broadway plays, television, movies, Presidential Appearances) I have had the opportunity to communicate with a broad spectrum of individuals from multiple countries, cultures, languages, companies, and races. I will say, that if this person represents St. Vincent DePaul... he has obviously forgotten , or perhaps never knew who he is working for. This man has a disregard for humanitarian work, and in my opinion should be expelled from his position and a full apology is what I should expect, after my letter to the headquarters explains this incident and completely outrageous behavior which caused me to defend myself and be publicly humiliated and abused as a disabled person trying to make my already traumatic and crisis situation better. The people who saw me and heard me , were not present in the small office where the abuse took place. All I have to say to this man is; "Get some help with your control issues, and learn some respect for humanity. God Bless You."
I am an ordained minister, and I evoked language at the end of his abysive behavior that I am ashamed of and haven't used in many years. My apologies go out to all who've been offended by my interjections to this man who...
   Read moreThis store sure doesn't look like much, either from the exterior or interior, but after living in the area about a year, and numerous visits, I have to say it is one of my favorite McMinville thrift shops.
This is a smaller store and organizing is clumsy, but I have found some great stuff. Mac is tops for vintage dishes, decor, books...really anything your grandparents would have, or what you would expect to find at an estate sale, and that remains true for St. Vinny's. Some of my favorite finds: a vintage wool Pendleton button up, malachite dish, framed embroidery, like-new coffee maker, and various rain jackets and muck boots sourced for guests unprepared for pnw weather. I also almost always can find a variety of mason jars here. DVDs are $1 (as compared to Goodwill's $2.99), and they have a very large selection, books too, especially considering their demure size.
Prices are stapled to clothing. I don't like it, but I have nabbed several nicer shirts and sweaters for my husband around $5 each, and he sure doesn't care about a staple hole if one occurs. I think clothes can be surprisingly good here, if only because the selection appears so lame and people discount the possibility of finding anything good.
There is a bit of furniture, a lot of small kitchen appliances, a great little craft section, even a place for pet supplies. Again, I think it just looks like you won't find anything, so treasures are hidden here because no one hunts for 'em! As a bonus, prices are some of the lowest of our area thrift stores and definitely less...
   Read moreI had a humiliating experience trying to donate clothes and toys- after calling ahead to make sure these items would be accepted. They didn’t even say hi but barked “two bags!” “Two bags!” over and over at me. Evidently I was supposed to understand that this meant that they would only take two bags of clothes. I told them that the bags were full of toys and clothes and they told me they wouldn’t take toys at all. I told them that I had just called and checked, and that the people on the phone told me my clothes and toys would be fine. I said I’d take my stuff to goodwill and started putting it all back in my car- then they started taking away the things I already told them I didn’t want to give them. They even had the audacity to ask me if I wanted a receipt. I will never give them another penny. Clearly they don’t...
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