A LITTLE HOPE IN EVERY PURCHASE

About Us

Lily Pads Resale Boutique stores are operated by Illinois Valley PADS and offer unique, quality shopping experiences at resale prices to support the local homeless shelters while benefitting our donors and customers.

Who We Are

The idea of the Storess began when the amount of donations given to the shelter exceeded the space or need. It seemed to be the best way to engage the community and meet our financial needs as we continued to expand our services.
Group of six women smiling in a festive store

Lily Pads Journey

Group outside Lily Pads Resale Boutique with banner

Founding Year

Opened on August 1, 2006 in a small space in downtown Peru donated by Gary Dahl who was an Illinois State Senator.

First Location

Built and opened the Stores on Progress Blvd on October 15, 2009. The building was 10,000 sq ft and we quickly outgrew the space. The 4000 sq ft addition was built in 2012 to provide more space for receiving the donations.

Community Impact

At Lily Pads, we're proud to be a vital part of the community. By employing and training local staff, contributing to the local economy, and offering quality, affordable items, we create opportunities and support our neighbors. Our commitment to sustainability ensures usable donations stay local and out of landfills, benefiting both the environment and our shoppers. Most importantly, we help individuals in need start fresh by providing essential clothing and furnishings through our partnership with IV Pads at no cost to them.

Ongoing Growth

The Lily Pads stores are a vibrant, 12-month-a-year fundraising powerhouse that plays a critical role in sustaining the care and support of homeless individuals in our communities. Operating year-round, Lily Pads stores generate approximately 35 percent of the essential funding required to provide shelter, resources, and hope to those in need.

 More than just stores, Lily Pads are a lifeline, transforming donated goods into tangible impact. They not only offer affordable items to the public but also create a ripple effect of community support, ensuring that everyone has a chance to thrive. Each purchase made and every donation given fuels a mission of compassion and empowerment, making Lily Pads a cornerstone in the ongoing fight to address homelessness in our region.

It employs 18 and there are 35 volunteers who work to make this project a success.

Lily Pads Too Journey

Pink palm tree pattern shirt displayed in apparel store

Founding Year

This Store was determined to be needed as the donations in the Ottawa community began to overwhelm the capacity of the Ottawa Shelter. We were very grateful but needed to create a new avenue to use them to meet our goals.

First Location

This Store was opened for operations on July 15, 2018. The 15,000 square foot space is rented and amazingly meets our need to provide a wonderful place for donating and shopping.

Community Impact

At Lily Pads, we're proud to be a vital part of the community. By employing and training local staff, contributing to the local economy, and offering quality, affordable items, we create opportunities and support our neighbors. Our commitment to sustainability ensures usable donations stay local and out of landfills, benefiting both the environment and our shoppers. Most importantly, we help individuals in need start fresh by providing essential clothing and furnishings through our partnership with IV Pads at no cost to them.

Ongoing Growth

The Lily Pads stores are a vibrant, 12-month-a-year fundraising powerhouse that plays a critical role in sustaining the care and support of homeless individuals in our communities. Operating year-round, Lily Pads stores generate approximately 35 percent of the essential funding required to provide shelter, resources, and hope to those in need.

 More than just stores, Lily Pads are a lifeline, transforming donated goods into tangible impact. They not only offer affordable items to the public but also create a ripple effect of community support, ensuring that everyone has a chance to thrive. Each purchase made and every donation given fuels a mission of compassion and empowerment, making Lily Pads a cornerstone in the ongoing fight to address homelessness in our region.

Employs 10 and there are 6 volunteers. We could use more individuals willing to spend some time volunteering to price, clean, and display items that have been sorted.

What We Offer

We believe in the power of community and giving back. All proceeds from Lily Pads Resale Boutiques stay local, funding Illinois Valley Pads' mission to assist homeless individuals and families. By shopping and donating with us, you're directly contributing to making a positive impact in our area.
Colorful clothing and accessories on display in store

Clothing & Accessories

Find fashionable, affordable apparel for all genders and ages.
Assorted framed art displayed on a store wall

Furniture & Home Decor

Discover unique, gently used furniture and decor to brighten your home.
Wooden bookshelf filled with colorful books, chalkboard sign.

Books & Media

Browse our selection of books, DVDs, and more for great entertainment.
Assorted dishes and decor items on retail store shelves

Kitchenware

From kitchenware to linens, we offer a variety of essentials at unbeatable prices.

FAQs

Find answers to your questions about donations, Stores policies, and volunteering opportunities.

Still have questions?

We're here to help!

Customer testimonials

A wonderful place to find unique treasures!
Margaret was new to our Ottawa Pads program this season and she struggled more than most of our others with asking for help of any kind. Margaret was educated in social work and for years she held reputable positions with several of our local nonprofit organizations. Margaret knew how to…
Robert had checked in with us for the first time this season several months back now. Immediately upon checking in with us, we helped him apply for public housing. After choosing to leave out and go back to staying with friends and family for a while, Robert found himself having…
Back in 2015, we got to watch Dale pull himself up from his bootstrings and get back on his feet the first time. After struggling to cope with a difficult separation from his wife, Dale landed at our door. He was consistent and did the leg work in finding a…
Roy, a 67-year-old Army veteran, showed up at our door back on September 4th of 2022. He was staying with other family and friends before he "outstayed his welcome." Roy was aware that his time with his family and friends was running short, so he had taken it upon himself…
There was this young lady that came in with her young children. She was a single mom just trying to make ends meet to give her children a good home. We were able to give her clothes for her and her children. She was so excited and thankful for the…
One of our favorite stories that we have is when a young man came into our Stores with a voucher for a pair of shoes. We showed him where the men's shoes were. He tried on a couple of different pairs to find the perfect fit. He then came up…

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