The Thrift Shop at Patagonia Community UMC Church continues to share its revenue through providing grants to over a dozen local charities.
Ron Pitt, Chair of the PCUMC Missions Committee, announced in July that the latest yearly revenue figure for the Thrift Shop was $21,209. Only a small portion goes to the local church, where it is used to help cover utilities.
Grants have been made this year to the following area charities: Patagonia Youth Enrichment Program, Patagonia Regional Aquatic Center, East Santa Cruz Food Bank, Patagonia Volunteer Fire Department, CHOP Home Improvement Program, Nogales Crossroads Mission, Patagonia Creative Arts Association, Senior Citizens of Patagonia, Patagonia Museum, Patagonia Library, Beauty from Ashes, Community Christmas Gifts and Senior Sustenance.
“When you consider that we might be selling t-shirts for as low as 50 cents or cutlery for ten cents, the total sales figure becomes even more impressive,” said Pitt. “It shows the high number of people we get coming in for their own needs and also to support their town and neighbors.”
“It’s not just the fun of finding treasures,” noted co-manager Kyle Carey. “The Thrift Shop is known throughout the community as a favorite gathering place to meet and greet everyone in town.”
The shop’s other co-manager Nell Richie added, “Where else can you laugh together when coming across a gorgeous designer wedding dress around the corner from that folding camp cot or crystal vase you were actually looking for?”
The Thrift Shop is run exclusively by volunteers from the church and community. Volunteers are always needed and welcome, both to help sort donations on Thursday mornings and to help run the shop when open on Fridays and Saturdays, 10-1. Please call and leave a message at 520-394- 2274 if interested.
Please note that the Thrift Shop will be closed for the month of August for painting. Drop-off donations cannot be accepted during this time. However, co-managers Nell and Kyle are happy to accept drop-in volunteers to help pack up and move inventory during the first week of August. Please come by the Thrift Shop at 387 McKeown Ave.