ALBANY - After being in business for nearly 20 years, a store that began as a way to help victims of flooding in Albany, Ga., is now being used to support local people in need and several non-profit groups around the community.
This year, the Albany Thrift Store, a small 2,000-square-foot shop at 208 E. Main St., divided up nearly $15,000 to local non-profit groups, people and churches to share its success.
Since 1996, more than $130,000 has been distributed to non-profit organizations and people in need.
Just hoping to survive
The Albany Thrift Store opened its doors in 1994. It was originally an idea from former Albany Baptist Church Pastor Bob Krell, who sought support for the flood in Albany, Ga. after Hurricane Alberto dumped at least 17 inches of rain there.
Albany, Wis. residents were more than willing to come forward to help, and pastors at that time from three other local churches including the Albany Methodist Church, St. Patrick Catholic Church and Albany Lutheran Church agreed to give $200 each to start what is known today as the Albany Thrift Store.
Albany resident Ruth Beckman, a longtime board member and thrift store volunteer since the store's inception, said she initially became involved with the group because she wanted her church, St. Patrick's, represented.
At first, Beckman admitted, the group wasn't sure if the store would even work in the small town.
"We were just hoping to survive," Beckman said, noting the initial start-up money went to purchase a cash register and some tables to set out items garage-sale style.
The group realized quickly that the store's home on North Water Street was too small and soon moved into an old hardware store before settling at their current location, just east of the Sugar River.
The location right on the highway seems to have helped the small store increase its business and welcomes more than just local people. The group originally agreed back in the mid-1990s to collect donations of clean and good-condition clothing, shoes and small household items to be sold at a reasonable price - and that is the same agreement they have today. The four churches supply almost all of the 25 volunteers who run the store six days a week.
"We share what we have with others," Beckman said. "Every time it grows, it's that much more we can give away."
The store turned its first profit in 1996 and gave back $500 back to the community. Each year, that figure has grown. In 2012, the store gave $13,450 and this month, the Albany Thrift Shop will give back $14,900 to local community groups.
Community Involvement
The board that heads up the Albany Thrift Store meets about four times annually, and Father Mick Moon, the pastor of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Albany for the past seven years and also the pastor of St. Francis of Assisi of Belleville for three years, makes it a point to be at each of the meetings.
Moon said when he came and first learned about the thrift store in town, he knew first-hand the success that could come with a strong thrift shop. Before becoming a Catholic priest, he was the manager of a thrift store in Camden, N.J. and was constantly aware of the economic struggles people had to locate quality clothing, know about community resources and have someone take a general interest in them. He helped people in the community there and when emergency situations arose, they would use funding to help people with medications, food and even bus tokens.
The Albany Thrift Store mirrored that kind of community involvement, and Moon was sure he wanted to be a part of it.
"I knew a thrift store could be extremely effective in helping people with more than just clothing and household goods," Moon said. "The thrift store in Albany is extremely dedicated to helping the community and sustaining the churches in Albany."
Moon said it isn't just quality items and reasonable prices that keep returning customers - it's also a certain atmosphere of the volunteers taking a genuine interest in those who come in to the store.
"I think it's amazing that such a small store generates that level of income to help local organizations with things they need," Moon said. "And everyone is extremely grateful. It's a tradition of helping out one another."
A couple of the volunteers for the thrift shop are from his Belleville church location.
"They're doing what we call 'Corporal Works of Mercy' and living out their faith," he said.
The group gives back to almost always the same non-profit organizations each year but also specific situations when they arise. They have helped people stranded with no gas and allow house fire victims to come into the store and take what they need at no cost.
Bonnie Klapper, who has been the store's manager for the past eight years, said the store's volunteers and those who donate are who makes volunteering her time each week well worth it.
"I just enjoy working with the people - the public - and meeting different people," Klapper said. "We're just so thankful for everything people bring and we're so thankful for the volunteers we have."
On Dec. 5 they held an appreciation lunch at Gabriella's in Albany to honor those who put so much time and effort toward making the store function smoothly. The store is exceptionally busy around the holidays, both with donations and shoppers.
This year each of the four churches in Albany, Hilltop Community, Albany United Methodist, St. Patrick Catholic, and the Albany Lutheran Church will each receive $2,000. Other recipients are: $500: Albany Historical Society, Friends of the Library, Albany Women's League, Shop with a Cop, Albany Fire Department, Albany EMS, American Red Cross, Albany American Legion; $1,000: Albany Food Pantry, Special Needs; $300: Belleville Food Pantry; $100: Albany American Legion for their Bricks for Veterans.
Albany Thrift Store board members are David Pluss, president; Beckman, vice president-secretary; Lynne Moore, treasurer; Klapper, store manager; and Moon, Gloria Glass, Beverly Kramer, Jeff Gibbons and Jim Graves.
This year, the Albany Thrift Store, a small 2,000-square-foot shop at 208 E. Main St., divided up nearly $15,000 to local non-profit groups, people and churches to share its success.
Since 1996, more than $130,000 has been distributed to non-profit organizations and people in need.
Just hoping to survive
The Albany Thrift Store opened its doors in 1994. It was originally an idea from former Albany Baptist Church Pastor Bob Krell, who sought support for the flood in Albany, Ga. after Hurricane Alberto dumped at least 17 inches of rain there.
Albany, Wis. residents were more than willing to come forward to help, and pastors at that time from three other local churches including the Albany Methodist Church, St. Patrick Catholic Church and Albany Lutheran Church agreed to give $200 each to start what is known today as the Albany Thrift Store.
Albany resident Ruth Beckman, a longtime board member and thrift store volunteer since the store's inception, said she initially became involved with the group because she wanted her church, St. Patrick's, represented.
At first, Beckman admitted, the group wasn't sure if the store would even work in the small town.
"We were just hoping to survive," Beckman said, noting the initial start-up money went to purchase a cash register and some tables to set out items garage-sale style.
The group realized quickly that the store's home on North Water Street was too small and soon moved into an old hardware store before settling at their current location, just east of the Sugar River.
The location right on the highway seems to have helped the small store increase its business and welcomes more than just local people. The group originally agreed back in the mid-1990s to collect donations of clean and good-condition clothing, shoes and small household items to be sold at a reasonable price - and that is the same agreement they have today. The four churches supply almost all of the 25 volunteers who run the store six days a week.
"We share what we have with others," Beckman said. "Every time it grows, it's that much more we can give away."
The store turned its first profit in 1996 and gave back $500 back to the community. Each year, that figure has grown. In 2012, the store gave $13,450 and this month, the Albany Thrift Shop will give back $14,900 to local community groups.
Community Involvement
The board that heads up the Albany Thrift Store meets about four times annually, and Father Mick Moon, the pastor of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Albany for the past seven years and also the pastor of St. Francis of Assisi of Belleville for three years, makes it a point to be at each of the meetings.
Moon said when he came and first learned about the thrift store in town, he knew first-hand the success that could come with a strong thrift shop. Before becoming a Catholic priest, he was the manager of a thrift store in Camden, N.J. and was constantly aware of the economic struggles people had to locate quality clothing, know about community resources and have someone take a general interest in them. He helped people in the community there and when emergency situations arose, they would use funding to help people with medications, food and even bus tokens.
The Albany Thrift Store mirrored that kind of community involvement, and Moon was sure he wanted to be a part of it.
"I knew a thrift store could be extremely effective in helping people with more than just clothing and household goods," Moon said. "The thrift store in Albany is extremely dedicated to helping the community and sustaining the churches in Albany."
Moon said it isn't just quality items and reasonable prices that keep returning customers - it's also a certain atmosphere of the volunteers taking a genuine interest in those who come in to the store.
"I think it's amazing that such a small store generates that level of income to help local organizations with things they need," Moon said. "And everyone is extremely grateful. It's a tradition of helping out one another."
A couple of the volunteers for the thrift shop are from his Belleville church location.
"They're doing what we call 'Corporal Works of Mercy' and living out their faith," he said.
The group gives back to almost always the same non-profit organizations each year but also specific situations when they arise. They have helped people stranded with no gas and allow house fire victims to come into the store and take what they need at no cost.
Bonnie Klapper, who has been the store's manager for the past eight years, said the store's volunteers and those who donate are who makes volunteering her time each week well worth it.
"I just enjoy working with the people - the public - and meeting different people," Klapper said. "We're just so thankful for everything people bring and we're so thankful for the volunteers we have."
On Dec. 5 they held an appreciation lunch at Gabriella's in Albany to honor those who put so much time and effort toward making the store function smoothly. The store is exceptionally busy around the holidays, both with donations and shoppers.
This year each of the four churches in Albany, Hilltop Community, Albany United Methodist, St. Patrick Catholic, and the Albany Lutheran Church will each receive $2,000. Other recipients are: $500: Albany Historical Society, Friends of the Library, Albany Women's League, Shop with a Cop, Albany Fire Department, Albany EMS, American Red Cross, Albany American Legion; $1,000: Albany Food Pantry, Special Needs; $300: Belleville Food Pantry; $100: Albany American Legion for their Bricks for Veterans.
Albany Thrift Store board members are David Pluss, president; Beckman, vice president-secretary; Lynne Moore, treasurer; Klapper, store manager; and Moon, Gloria Glass, Beverly Kramer, Jeff Gibbons and Jim Graves.