HOPE CHEST MISSION & STORY

Our mission at Hope Chest for Breast Cancer® is to help underserved women and their families touched by breast cancer.

The Hope Chest for Breast Cancer® Mission

Our mission at Hope Chest for Breast Cancer® is to help underserved women and their families touched by breast cancer.

How do we raise funds?

Through the sale of donated, upscale furniture, accessories, and designer women’s clothing at our Retail Stores

Through our Foundation fundraising events and programs

Through financial donations

How do we help?

Emergency Funds that provide rent, utilities, transportation, etc., to underserved women who are unable to work due to the side effects of  breast cancer treatment

Delivered Nutritional Meals for underserved women and their families during breast cancer treatment

Early Detection Education and Screening for underserved women with a focus on diverse populations

Who are we?

Our founder, Barbara Hensley, survives two sisters who lost their battle with breast cancer.  Their combined six year struggle was devastating to Barbara.  She became painfully aware of the challenges faced by underserved women experiencing breast cancer, so she did something!  In 2001, Barbara resigned her corporate executive position and founded the Hope Chest for Breast Cancer where she drives our commitment to make a difference.

The business model of the Hope Chest is unique in that it includes a combination of a not-for-profit Foundation and for-profit retail stores.  We are able to raise critical funds and give back to the community and those underserved women in it who have been touched by breast cancer.  The mantra of our Retail Stores is "Excellent quality, excellent buys...all for an excellent cause."

Currently there are 2 retail stores located in the Twin Cities; one in Orono in the western suburbs of Minneapolis and one is St. Paul near Snelling and I-94.  The Hope Chest Retail Shops are open seven days a week and sell donated designer women's clothing and accessories as well as upscale furniture and home decor accessories.  Since all of the merchandise (from wedding dresses to end tables) is donated from individuals or corporations, Hope Chest is able to sell items at a fraction of the cost and donate a percentage of revenue to various breast cancer programs through the Hope Chest for Breast Cancer Foundation.

Hope Chest for Breast Cancer has donated $750,000 to fund programs in the Twin Cities area since we started awarding grants.  Our long range vision is to open Retail Stores nationwide, and over the next five years, our goal is to have 50 locations and raise $10 million annually for breast cancer related programs.