The Fort Hood Area Thrift Shop gave away nearly $40,000 in grants to 26 area nonprofit organizations at its semi-annual grant distribution Monday morning.

The distribution amount of $38,300 to the 26 organizations is the largest total granted, and the most number of organizations supported. Grants varied from $250 to $4,000.

The Fort Hood Area Thrift Shop is able to take 100 percent of its profit from sales, then turn around and put that profit back into the surrounding community twice each year.

“Our main focus of doing this is to make sure that we are supporting our Fort Hood area community,” said Fort Hood Area Thrift Shop Board of Directors President Theresa Johnson.

During the distribution event, representatives from most of the organizations delivered a short speech about what their organization’s mission is and what they plan to use the funds for.

Fort Hood Garrison Commander Col. Hank Perry attended the event, calling the thrift store’s support and the organizations’ work “very important” for Fort Hood.

“For us on the installation, we are far more successful because of many of these organizations that are represented here today and I want to thank the thrift shop and everyone here today for what you continue to do for our community,” he said. “It matters very significantly in the lives of the Soldier, in the lives of a Soldier’s Family.”

“You are doing a wonderful thing here by providing back to those who provide so much for us,” Perry added.

The organizations supported by the thrift shop’s grants vary greatly in focus and mission, from 22 Until None, which does community outreach and works with service members and veterans to prevent suicide; to Heart of Texas Animal Rescue and Transport, which transports overflow animals in shelters to no-kill shelters with room; to Pink Warrior Angels, who make and share chemotherapy “after care” kits to local community members battling breast cancer; to Santa’s Workshop, which provides toys and gifts for children and Families in need on Fort Hood during the holidays.

Johnson emphasized that while the different organizations have different missions, many of those missions overlap or complement each other.

“We are all connected to the military in some way, shape or form,” Johnson said. “We all help each other somehow, some way.”

Many organizations from Monday’s distribution have received grants at past distributions. The thrift shop board of directors want to “spread the love” and organizations are able to continue applying for the thrift shop grants.

“We want to know what your mission is and how we can continue to support you guys,” Johnson said to the organization representatives. “And as we grow, our mission is to help every application that comes in.”

For more information on how to apply for a grant from the Fort Hood Area Thrift Shop, visit forthoodareathriftshop.com/downloads or email grants@forthoodareathriftshop.com. Applications can also be picked up in person at the thrift shop, Bldg. 50003 Clear Creek Rd.

The next grant distribution will be in the fall.