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February 1, 2010
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The Sharing Shop: Where some kids can shop for free
by Mike Bush
KSDK
Most people open businesses to make a buck. Jennifer Little opened her store to make a difference.

You can find just about anything you need at the Sharing Shop.

"Whether it be clothing, books, toys, shoes or even furniture, " says Little.

A mortgage banker by trade, she's spent much of her life savings to open a place that caters to a certain kind of family.

"She has so much passion for this place and it's contagious, " says manager Brandy Bennett.

Of course, Jennifer has redefined the meaning of the word family.

At her home in Chesterfield, there's one thing you almost never hear. Quiet.

There are always children here.

She was adopted by a loving family and somewhere along the way decided that instead of having kids of her own, she would open her door and her heart to kids in need.

"You can help so many more kids by helping kids in foster care, " says Little.

Over the past 5 years, Jennifer has taken in foster kids from across the St. Louis area. 40 in all, for all kinds of reasons.

"Neglect, leaving the children home alone, it could be some kind of abuse. It could be the parents being arrested, " she explains.

Some stay for weeks, others for years but she treasures every one of them.

"The toughest part is when they leave, " she says.

Many foster children come with a lot of emotional baggage but just the shirt on their back. That's where the Sharing Shop comes in.

"I was sent there with a child that was placed with me just for Christmas, " explains Sara Glasscock, a foster mom. "He had no gifts."

While they sell to anyone at very reasonable prices, the store provides clothing, shoes and toys for children who first come into foster care for free.

"I feel like I'm a part of something big, " says Bennett.

When you're goal isn't to turn a profit but to help turn around young lives, there's no telling how long the place will last but the hope is that one day there will be shops like this all over the metro area.

"Jennifer's heart is huge. She continues to surprise me with the love and the care for the kids, " says an emotional Glasscock.

The Sharing Shop, where one store owner insists that every sale is gift wrapped with love.

"It's my calling, it's what I was meant to do, " says Little.

Related website: The Sharing Shop
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