St. Vincent's Super Thrift Store to Open in Sparks This Weekend |
It's almost done - a bargain hunter's dream - rows and rows of deeply discounted clothes, shoes and household items. "St. Vincent's Super Thrift is the newest thrift store in Reno and we think the nicest," says Auburn Harrison, Director of Marketing and Public Relations for Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada
Technically, the shop is in Sparks. The big warehouse used to be the JC Penney outlet on the corner of Glendale Avenue and McCarran Boulevard.
Today it's more than just a discount destination. "So when people come to shop at this store or donate to it, they're directly helping homeless people or others who are living in poverty. The proceeds stay 100% local. Helping Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada fund more than a dozen programs here, from housing to food assistance. And items you donate to the thrift shop make a big difference.
"You just think, ‘oh, I'm getting rid of this stuff, no big deal.' But, really that translates directly to dollars. So, it's huge!” says Harrison. “When you bring a bag of clothes, just a simple paper grocery bag full of clothes that can pay for 32 meals in St. Vincent's Dining Room."
Plus - jobs. The new Super Thrift has a staff of 15 full-time employees. Doug Osborn is one of them. "I actually have my life back, kinda, plus, I have new friends, everything is working out real good."
Catholic Charities hires from the community they serve; a tradition that began with the original St. Vincent's thrift store in downtown Reno. "The majority of our staff over there came from homelessness; they start by volunteering for us, do a great job and we end up hiring them full-time."
Osborn says it's done wonders in helping him on his road to recovery. "It gives you your self-esteem back. It gives you the things you need. You can pay your bills; I pay child support and that comes right out."
The grand opening of St. Vincent's Super Thrift Store will be this Saturday, May 16th starting at 10:00 am.
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