Second Chance Thrift Store Celebrates Third Anniversary with Community Event This Weekend

Second Chance Thrift Store Celebrates Third Anniversary with Community Event This Weekend

 

 

The Second Chance Thrift Store, housed in the basement of Red Oak First United Methodist Church, will mark its third anniversary this Friday and Saturday, November 13–14, with a community celebration from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days

 

Located at 600 East Hammond Street (corner of East Hammond and North 6th Street), the store is accessed via the west entry of the church, leading directly into the basement thrift space. The event will feature noisemakers, confetti, door prizes drawn at least every half hour (with prizes for men, women, and children; winners need not be present), cookies from Brown Dog Bakery, and ongoing entertainment. Organizers say the people of Red Oak have supported the store strongly from the start and hope the whole town turns out.

 

How the Store Works

The store operates on a free-will offering model with the motto “Buy what you need, pay what you can.” Donations of usable household items, clothing, and goods are accepted Fridays and Saturdays during store hours (or by arrangement during the week for larger loads). Items range from clothing and bedding (sized and marked) to toys, tools, puzzles, records, good china, holiday decorations, and more—essentially “anything, as long as it doesn’t need to be fed.” Unusable clothing is bagged and taken to a recycling shed near the high school, with proceeds supporting the after-school program. A prayer box in the store collects requests that are prayed over during the church’s Tuesday morning Bible study.

 

Supporting Local and Global Ministries

A percentage of proceeds supports local and global ministries, including quarterly gifts to Christ’s Cupboard (with whom the store collaborates rather than competes), Corn Dogs Love Jerry Fund, Planned Pregnancy of Southwest Iowa, the United Methodist Church Emergency Fund, and the World Mission of Father’s Delight, plus support for the church’s own ministry. The store’s mission statement emphasizes empowering the community and reflecting God’s love by creating a welcoming space for recycled items through free-will offerings, fostering relationships, and meeting practical needs