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July 11, 2022, Santa Barbara, Calif. - Tom Reed, the public face of Unity Shoppe for 20 years, is stepping down at the end of 2022. Speaking at every opportunity about the many programs Unity Shoppe offers to help those in need -- an average of 18,000 clients annually, referred by more than 300 social service agencies around Santa Barbara County, -- Tom said, “It’s time for someone else to lead this amazing, unique, 105-year-old local charity; and it’s time for me to enjoy some new adventures with my wife and grandchildren.”
Founded in 1917 as the Council of Christmas Cheer by Pearl Chase, Tom Reed signed on in 2002 to help Barbara Tellefson grow the organization into a sustainable year-round charity, providing not only food, clothing and toys, but also job training, school supplies, disaster relief, and special gifts for seniors.