Flood victims can shop for free in new city initiative

Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin on Thursday announced a weekend-long initiative designed to help victims of the Oct. 4 floods.

Flood victims can come to the Holiday Pop-Up Shop Friday through Sunday at Dutch Square Mall to select from among $1.3 million in new bedding, toys, furniture and clothing from brands such as GAP, Gerber Childrenswear, Hot Topic, IKEA and Toys R Us, according to a news release. All of the items will be free.

Flood victims must bring a Federal Emergency Management Agency letter to receive a shopping pass.

The event was created in partnership with K.I.D.S./Fashion Delivers, which works to provide new merchandise to people affected by poverty or tragedy.

The Holiday Pop-Up Shop will run 5-9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday.

Avery Wilks

This story was originally published December 10, 2015 at 1:32 PM.