Helping Others: Grand Opening Today For New Cantonment Thrift Store

October 25, 2016

A grand opening was held Tuesday at a  new secondhand thrift store in Cantonment that aims to help others.

Saint Monica’s Episcopal Church officially opened Monica’s Attic Thrift Store in the old Winn Dixie shopping center at 470 Highway 29 South. Regular operating hours are Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Patrons of Monica’s Attic Thrift Store can shop knowing their purchases will positively impact the community, and donors can recycle items they no longer use or need, with the benefit of a tax deduction. Carrying a variety of gently used home décor, furniture, housewares, and books, as well as clothing and accessories for men, women and children, store sales will fund the community food pantry and the beans and rice programs of Saint Monica’s Episcopal Church.

Leadership of the congregation, which includes approximately 135 members, saw a promising opportunity to enhance their service to the community with the development of a thrift store, says Rev. Anthony MacWhinnie, II.

“Our aim with the store is to offer quality items at reasonable prices for those who may be shopping on a limited budget, while also establishing a self-sustaining means by which we can further expand our outreach services to benefit more families and individuals in this community,” MacWhinnie explains. “Keeping in mind our fundamental purpose as a body of believers is to love and serve others, the thrift store was a natural avenue for our church to continue to positively impact our neighbors in very practical, but important ways.”

In addition to the thrift store, the congregation extends several ministries to the community at large. Their emergency food pantry allows the church to supply a bag of non-perishable foods and basic hygiene products on the spot, any time a sudden need arises, such as a personal tragedy or natural disaster.

To provide meals to those in need more frequently, the monthly beans and rice ministry packages and distributes gifts of food, including large bags of beans, rice and other items as available. Since the program was established in 2008, the church has served an average of 30 local families each month. But recently, the need has increased, with growing numbers of people gathering at the church on the last Saturday of the month to receive the generous helpings of food offered.

Donations may be dropped off at the store during operating hours. Special arrangements for large donations may be made by calling (850) 780-6888.

Pictured: Monica’s Attic Thrift Store in Cantonment. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Comments

4 Responses to “Helping Others: Grand Opening Today For New Cantonment Thrift Store”

  1. dman on October 25th, 2016 9:01 am

    Nice to see that old building put to good use! I’ll be coming by on a regular basis!!! :-)

  2. nansea on October 25th, 2016 8:46 am

    Lots of great items and friendly people.

  3. thrifty on October 25th, 2016 8:12 am

    Excellent location and hours – I’ll definitely be stopping by.

  4. Becky on October 25th, 2016 8:11 am

    Looks nice.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under FEATURE TOP STORY, Features, News