“No Judgment, Just Help”: Addressing Female Veteran Resource Gaps
- Callie Wren
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
A new community-focused thrift store is opening its doors with a transparent mission: helping veterans access practical support while funding a long-term vision of a homeless shelter and daycare for female veterans and their children.
The Fat Bottom Girls Thrift Store in Acton was founded by Hollie Thomas, a Marine veteran; Bliss Goodloe, a military spouse of more than 20 years; and Andrea Jackson, a military advocate. The store is funded through community estate sales, leftover estate sale donations, and direct contributions from the community.
Talks of launching the thrift store started in February 2026. Just a few months later, the store is open for business.
“Fat bottom women just make things happen,” Thomas said, explaining the company’s name and spirit. “You send a woman in her 40s on a mission—it’s going to happen. But the whole gist of our company came about because we have a deep desire to serve.”
The founders say their work grew from seeing a gap in housing services designed specifically for women veterans, particularly those caring for children. They noted that many women veterans face added barriers because some shelters and service providers cannot accommodate children, leaving families with limited options.
“A lot of shelters and similar organizations tend to shy away from taking in children because they’re a liability,” Jackson said. “We are trying to close that resource gap.”
While the trio is particularly passionate about helping female veterans and their children, they want to help any veteran who walks through the door in a judgement-free environment. Proceeds from thrift store sales will go back into the community to help veterans with living expenses, health care bills, financial literacy, and other needs, while also helping fund the future shelter and daycare.
Transparency is central to the founders’ mission.
“One thing I want people to know is that when they donate to us, it’s going to a good cause,” Jackson said.
The founders have organized their work through Fat Bottom Girls LLC, Fat Bottom Girls Thrift Store, Fat Bottom Girls Estate Sales and the Lady Leatherneck Charitable Foundation, a 501(c)(3) that will support the planned shelter and daycare. The long-term goal within the shelter is to create a secure transitional program where women veterans can learn skills such as budgeting, employment readiness and independent living.
A portion of proceeds from the thrift store will also support the Veteran Services program at Pecan Valley Centers for Behavioral and Developmental Healthcare. A $400 donation has already been made. Goodloe said the partnership aims to connect veterans with resources early, helping address needs before they reach a crisis point.
“Seeking and accepting help can be tough for veterans,” explained Joshua Morrison, Director of Veteran & Substance Use Services at Pecan Valley Centers. “A thrift store might be a more approachable entry point to getting help, especially for female veterans who may feel more comfortable connecting with women who understand the military lifestyle.”
For Thomas, Goodloe and Jackson, the mission is simple: meet veterans where they are, offer help without judgment, and build something lasting for those who have served.
Pecan Valley Centers is the Local Mental Health and Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) Authority for six Texas counties: Hood, Johnson, Erath, Somervell, Parker and Palo Pinto. The organization is a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic and provides mental health and IDD community support services to individuals regardless of health insurance status or ability to pay.
