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Saturday, July 4, 2009
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Deerwood thrift store hopes to help shoppers and church
Senior Reporter DEERWOOD - In these hardscrabble economic times, the virtue of thriftiness is taking on a fresh sheen.
Webster's dictionary describes thriftiness as thriving by industry and frugality, growing vigorously and practicing economy and good management. The attributes are hard to argue with, especially now. And in the wake of a recession that has many struggling, new breeds of thrift stores are taking root in the lakes area.
The Mustard Seed of Deerwood Thrift and Gifts is one example.
The store, which takes its name from the biblical parable where the smallest of seeds grows into a tree so sturdy it shelters birds, is from the ministry of Salem Lutheran Church. The store opened Thursday with enthusiastic volunteers and curious shoppers.
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Kay Bendorf (left) purchased a garden journal, card and the Lord's Prayer on a wooden plaque Thursday at The Mustard Seed in Deerwood with volunteer Kristy Tesdahl at the checkout counter.
» Purchase reprints of this photo.
Brainerd Dispatch/Renee Richardson
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Greg Meyer, Salem Lutheran Church's community outreach director, said the idea for the store started about six weeks ago.
The church, which through its Salem WEST ministry offers support to individuals and families in the community who may need help with a car repair, school expenses, a special camp for a child or baby supplies for a new mom.
It all comes at no charge.
Salem WEST, which started in 1993, works with social services, law enforcement, public health and shelters and a host of other agencies to meet the needs of people who are almost making it but who face struggles and may otherwise have fallen through the cracks. The goal is to help people move forward to independence.
Meyer said the economic downturn has meant a dramatic increase in the need for Salem WEST's services. The program that helped 10 families its first year now sees 110 to 120 families in a month. Salem WEST has had a 120-percent increase just in requests for financial assistance this year compared to 2008, which had already more than doubled from 2007. Through June this year, the requests have already reached the number they received in all of 2008. It will cost about $170,000 to run Salem WEST for 2009.
About Salem WEST
- Salem WEST is a ministry of Salem Lutheran Church of Deerwood providing furniture, appliances, bedding, clothing and other supplies to needy individuals or families in the area at no cost.
- WEST stands for Welcome, Equip, Send and Toolbox (for ministry).
- Started 16 years ago, Salem WEST began in a large room in the church, which was quickly outgrown. In 2002, the former Deerwood Laundromat was donated and named Salem WEST.
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So the idea of The Mustard Seed came as a way to generate income for Salem WEST.
"This isn't displacing Salem WEST, this is to help us serve more people," Meyer said.
They always received donations of items that didn't really fit with Salem WEST's practical focus. Items such as glass tables weren't considered family friendly. Now those gift items and furnishings are finding a home in the thrift store, along with clothes and household supplies.
All donations are received at Salem WEST and then sorted to determine what will go to the store. For organizers, it's the ultimate form of recycling. Volunteers repaired furniture pieces for sale.
And an entire community effort went into readying the retail space, which was once a hardware store, for The Mustard Seed from paint to carpet to electrical work. People volunteered services or offered discounts on supplies. The Godfrey family, the building owners, put considerable effort to upgrade the space down to a more energy efficient heating system so utility costs would be more affordable.
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The Mustard Seed of Deerwood Thrift and Gifts includes clothes and household goods, cards and furniture. The store, which filled a vacant storefront in Deerwood, sells donated items. Proceeds are used for Salem WEST, which provides community outreach and support to individuals and families whose needs may otherwise fall through the cracks.
» Purchase reprints of this photo.
Brainerd Dispatch/Renee Richardson
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Meyer said there are multiple goals - to have a place where people can buy affordable clothes and items, provide jobs and volunteer opportunities thus tapping into people who want to make a difference. Three young people from the Cuyuna Range are expected to be employed at the store for the summer through the federal stimulus youth employment program.
When the idea for the store came up, Meyer said it just clicked. He said sometimes with faith the effort is on trying to figure out what God wants of you, this time it was obvious.
"Literally everything we needed has fallen in our lap," Meyer said. "This was supposed to be."
Meyer said he is worried this winter will be a tough one. Calls about evictions come in with regularity. He notes area resort workers were called back to work later in the season than usual and he worries they may be out of work earlier this fall. He expects residents will be faced with difficult choices this winter on what bills to pay.
Meyer said they hope to work with a cooperative map with other the thrift stores - Angel's Dance Thrift Store in Aitkin and Deals on the Range in Crosby - and potentially with the new Common Goods thrift store here.
Common Goods is a new lakes area social venture with Bridges of Hope in Brainerd. Tami Lueck, executive director, said they expect to open the upscale charity thrift store to benefit the work of Bridges of Hope and the families the organizations serves in the community. Common Goods is expected to open here by the end of July or in early August.
In Deerwood, volunteer Kristy Tesdahl said everyone pulled together to make the store a reality. "It's just exciting to see all this come together."
Shopper Linda Forsythe, Crosslake, who works just down the block at the bank, was one of the first day customers. She described the store as clean, neat and organized.
"It's just a wonderful place," she said.
RENEE RICHARDSON may be reached at renee.richardson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5852.
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