Fill the Mayflower Event This Weekend

Des Moines area residents will be helping victims of domestic violence when they donate gently used household items to help Fill the Mayflower this weekend.

The FreeStore's Fill the Mayflower event will be held in partnership with Children & Families of Iowa (CFI), Select Van and Storage-a Mayflower company, Valley West Mall and Iowa Barbeque Society. The goal of this event is to fill the Mayflower trailer with donations of household items for victims of domestic violence.

The FreeStore is a nonprofit organization that provides gently used household goods to victims of domestic violence. This year's event will be held Friday, May 14, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, May 15, 8 a.m. to 5p.m.; and Sunday, May 16, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the southwest corner of the Valley West Mall parking lot-corner of Westown Parkway and Valley West Drive. Donations of new or gently used household items will be accepted, such as furniture, kitchen items, bed linens and small appliances. In addition, monetary donations are always welcome.

First Lady Mari Culver, a tremendous advocate for victims of domestic violence and friend of CFI, will be at the event Friday, May 14. "The community support for Fill the Mayflower has been fantastic. Last year, FreeStore was able to provide household goods to over 650 victims," says First Lady Mari Culver. "When victims are starting over, they often have few resources. FreeStore helps with essential needs to put them on the road to self-sufficiency."

Stick around for lunch, provided by the Iowa Barbeque Society, on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a $5 free will donation. For those individuals who wish to participate but are unable to drop off your gently used items during the event, Select Van and Storage will pick them up from your house. Please call 515.223.8329 to arrange a pick-up time.

For more information or a complete list of items needed, please visit www.thefreestore.org or call 515.223.8329.

About Children & Families of Iowa

Children & Families of Iowa is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring hope, building futures and changing lives throughout Iowa. With offices in Fort Dodge, Des Moines, Ankeny, Osceola and Centerville, Children & Families of Iowa is restoring hope for victims of domestic violence, helping teens find their futures, creating safe homes for children, preparing children to succeed and helping people reshape their lives. Last year, Children & Families of Iowa served more than 21,000 individuals in all of Iowa's 99 counties. Please visit www.cfiowa.org for more information.

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