It’s a pay-it-forward philosophy at the Iola Senior Center’s thrift shop that has a touch of Rumplestiltskin weaved into it.
Every donation to the center benefits others twice: items can be had at bargain prices whose sales benefit the needy.
As proof, $21,100 was donated recently to area agencies from proceeds from thrift shop sales for 2010.
JOE HESS, a volunteer at the thrift shop, 223 N. State St., told Allen County commissioners the good news at their Tuesday morning meeting. The county owns the building from which the thrift shop operates.
Faith House, a homeless shelter in Chanute, received one of two $3,500 grants.
“We have a lot of people from Allen County that use Faith House,” Hess said, noting that about one-fourth of its clients come from Iola.
The other $3,500 grant went to Iola’s Church Utility Relief Board, which helps pay utility bills for needy families.
Other beneficiaries and their amounts were: Allen County Animal Rescue Facility, $2,700, Hope Unlimited, $2,500, ANW Special Education Cooperative, $1,500, Salvation Army, $1,000 and Allen County Home Health/Hospice, $1,000.
Recipients of $500 each were Elm Creek Community Garden, St. Timothy’s and Wesley United Methodist churches backpack projects, Pregnancy Resource Center, Head Start, Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry, Adopt-A-Child and Project Care. Jefferson, Lincoln and McKinley elementary schools were given $400 each.
“It’s amazing how much money we raise from selling clothing at near give-away prices,” said Hess. “I can remember not many years ago when sales of $20 in a day were pretty good. Now, it’s $100 to $200 a day.”
Shirts typically sell for 20 cents; jeans, 25 cents; shoes, 50 cents, work boots a tad more.
“We have people at all income levels buying things,” Hess said.
Some find it hard to believe the clothing comes at such a bargain, Hess said. Volunteers sort through donations, culling soiled or damanged clothing.
“We had one man come in and found a suit,” Hess recalled. “He asked how much it was and the volunteer said 50, meaning cents, but he thought it was $50. Without hesitation he pulled out a $50 bill, and about fell over when he found out it was 50 cents.”
Occasionally, buyers add a donation with their purchases. It’s not unusual for someone to hand over a $10 or $20 bill and tell volunteers to keep the difference.
SIXTEEN volunteers man the center. Most got their first exposure as customers.
“People come in, see what we’re doing and occasionally ask if they can help out,” Hess said.
Volunteers are sensitive to shoppers’ needs, Hess said.
“If someone obviously can’t afford much, we make adjustments,” he said. In cases of catastrophes such as a house fire, the center helps equip victims with clothing and household items at no cost.
“We’re here to help,” Hess said.
The shop is open 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and the second Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to noon. Donations are accepted anytime; when the shop is closed they may be placed in an outdoor bin.
