CARC Treasure Chest.

Operated by CARC, a Southwest Louisiana nonprofit that has been supporting people with disabilities since 1954, the Treasure Chest store on West McNeese Street in Lake Charles serves as both a thrift shop and a hands-on training ground. Donated goods — clothing, household items, and everyday essentials — fill the floor, giving shoppers access to discounted merchandise while directly funding CARC's broader mission of creating employment and vocational opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities.

CARC Treasure Chest doubles as a pre-employment training site where clients learn workplace social skills and practice working alongside the public, making each transaction part of a larger support structure. A donation station at the West McNeese Street location accepts drop-offs from the community, and a second store has opened along Sam Houston Jones Parkway in Moss Bluff, extending the program's reach into the surrounding area. With a 4.4-star rating across 45 Google reviews, the store has built a steady following among Lake Charles shoppers who return for the rotating stock of donated goods and the knowledge that their purchases contribute to vocational programming for adults with disabilities.