For Immediate Release Contact: Lesley Strom October 26, 2004 (559) 237-4706 Marjaree Mason Center Closes Thrift Stores The Marjaree Mason Center (MMC) today announced the closure of their two Fresno thrift stores. “It was a difficult decision to make,” emphasized Pamela Kallsen, Executive Director for the Marjaree Mason Center. “The public has been very generous over the years with donations to the Marjaree Mason Center Thrift Stores. However, it is just no longer feasible to keep the doors open. “ The Marjaree Mason Center began operating thrift stores more than 10 years ago to provide a badly needed source of income for the emergency shelter for battered women and children. Over the course of the last few years, the costs associated with operating the thrift stores have increased dramatically. Workers compensation costs, delivery truck fuel costs, disposal fees associated with un-saleable donations, lease rates, and competition from thrift “super” stores have driven the decision to close the stores located at 660 Van Ness (Van Ness and Mono) and 80A East Barstow (Blackstone and Barstow). The Disabled American Veteran Charities has agreed to purchase the MMC Thrift Store inventory and will also partner with MMC in providing clothing and personal items for MMC clients who are housed in the emergency shelter. Concluded Kallsen, “We hope our supporters will continue to provide much needed assistance with donations of cash or in-kind services for the 5,500 women and children we serve each year.”