Spring 2024

C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • S P R I N G 2 0 2 4 137 (YBR) operates three storefronts. The main store is dedicated to women’s and men’s clothing, household goods and miscellaneous items. Next door is a bookshop with a wide variety of books and even some vinyl records. Around the corner, the furniture store has a constantly changing stock of quality home décor items.The team works together to sell these high-end donations in order to support the funding of basic physical and social needs in Monterey County. The oldest shop in the story, YBR was founded in 1989 as an outreach of Carmel Presbyterian Church. “YBR returns net proceeds to the community in the form of grants to qualifying Monterey County 501(c)(3) organizations, and scholarships to selected students,” says Terry Budden,YBR’s president of the board.“We have 17 employees and over 70 volunteers who believe that, together, we can foster positive change and build a brighter future for all in Monterey County.” YBR has donated an astounding $8.2 million toward scholarships and grants in Monterey County, $528,000 in 2023 along with an additional $83,500 for 36 schol- arships. YBR’s grant program currently operates on a triannual cycle, enabling nonprofit organizations in Monterey County to apply for grants three times a year, in the priority areas of food, housing, medical, mental health, education and arts. At the end of every month, YBR holds a storewide 50 percent-off sale, and shoppers line up outside the door anticipating even better deals than usual. For more information, visit www.yellowbrickroadbenefitshop.org . Brooke Doyle, Main Store Manager Terry Budden, Board President Yellow Brick Road