The fishes and loaves story at the Community Church Thrift Shop

Lars Marshall (left), a 10-year volunteer, and Georgette Larrouy, a 20-year volunteer, at the cash desk for the Patagonia Community Church Thrift Shop, where they say they get to experience the fishes and loaves story every time on duty there and, in Lars’ words, “make it a party.” *Photo by Linda Jade Fong*

Why have Georgette Larrouy and Lars Marshall volunteered for decades at the Patagonia Community Church Thrift Shop even though they don’t belong to the United Methodist congregation? They say it has to do with seeing firsthand a fishes-and-loaves story and the circle of generosity – and laughter – rippling through the community.

The Thrift Shop at Patagonia Community United Methodist Church continues to share its revenue by providing grants to 17 local nonprofit organizations and programs. Ron Pitt, chair of the PCUMC Missions Committee, announced that the latest yearly revenue figure for the Thrift Shop was $23,156. Only a small portion goes to the local church and is used to help cover utilities.

The Thrift Shop is run completely by volunteers, including co-managers Nell Richie and Kyle Carey, who continually come up with ideas like raffles and giveaways to further add to the treasure hunt fun for shoppers.

A visitor from Tucson having fun in the Patagonia Community Church Thrift Shop, where she and her friends enjoyed their treasure hunt of “unbelievable clothes and household goods at unbelievable prices,” and were impressed to see the list of charities their purchases were helping to fund. *Photo by Linda Jade Fong*

“People donate items, giving from the heart. We get to sell to folks who appreciate and need them, and we use that money to benefit such a diverse range of people.

“It’s a circle of generosity. I love being a part of it,” said Marshall, a 10-year volunteer.

He chuckled, “I don’t buy renters’ insurance anymore because I found I was buying everything I needed at the Thrift Shop: household items, knickknacks, clothing!”

“I like to make it a party, have a lot of fun,” he added, talking about working at the cash desk. “One man said, ‘I’ve never enjoyed shopping with my wife so much.’”

“I adore working at the thrift shop,” echoed Larrouy, a 20-year veteran. “I get to see people from the community and say hi to people I wouldn’t necessarily see or talk to. It draws people from everywhere, all parts of the community.

“I’ll think of something I need, like a new kitchen towel or showerhead, and in a few weeks, it’ll show up. I’ve heard many people say that what you need will show up.

And people are always telling me about the compliments they, like me, get from the Thrift Shop finds in clothing.”

Some customers, she said, might purchase only a 50-cent T-shirt or a 10-cent spoon.

“No worries. That’s the loaves and fishes,” she happily tells them as she points to the posted list of local charities that benefit from every purchase, referring to the biblical story of feeding the multitudes from just a few fishes and loaves of bread.

The Patagonia Community Church Thrift Shop, 387 McKeown Ave., is open 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Volunteers are always welcome on Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. to help sort and organize.

This year’s grantees include:

• Patagonia Schools art and music programs

• Patagonia Youth Enrichment Center

• Patagonia Regional Aquatics Center

• East Santa Cruz County Community Food Bank

• Patagonia Volunteer Fire & Rescue

• CHOP (Community Homes of Patagonia) Home Improvement Program

• Patagonia Creative Arts Association

• Senior Citizens of Patagonia

• The Patagonia Museum

• The Patagonia Public Library

• Community Christmas Gifts