A fixture of Westerly Parkway Plaza in State College for two decades is moving to a new and bigger location.
St. Vincent DePaul Thrift Store will leave its longtime space at 526 Westerly Parkway to a new storefront at 1300 Benner Pike in early 2019.
An all-volunteer operation, the thrift store offers gently-used items at affordable prices to support the charitable work of the Society of St. Vincent DePaul in Centre County. About 17 percent of county residents live in poverty, and the society provides short-term financial assistance on a case-by-case basis to those in need.
On average, the society assists 150 individuals each month, or about 1,800 each year. Last year it provided $146,000 in direct financial assistance to local residents, with nearly all of the funds generated by the thrift store.
As the need for the society’s services has grown, so too has the need for more space. The new location will be big larger, brighter and handicap accessible, and having a larger retail space will allow the society to increase aid to those who need it.
“The assistance we provide is a gift,” store manager Janet Haner told the Centre County Gazette. “The money with which the society pays client rent or utility bills is generated by the work of dozens of volunteers who annually sort, price and place in the store thousands of bags and boxes of items, all donated by members of our community. The St. Vincent DePaul Thrift Store really is ‘neighbors helping neighbors.’”
The society serves all in need and volunteers and society members come from many denominations and backgrounds.
A “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” raffle and reception will be held at 4 p.m. on Sunday at the new Benner Pike store location in support of the move. The event will include a wine tasting by Mount Nittany Winery, refreshments from Wegmans, oldies music from DJ Ken Hart, an upcycling craft project and a special sales table. The day also will feature tours of the new facility, a presentation about the society and information about volunteering.
Raffle prizes will include a 65-inch LG 4K smart TV from Mike’s Video, TV and Appliance, a recliner from Klaban’s Home Furnishings and white topaz and diamond earrings from Miska and Reini Goldsmiths & Jewelers.
Attendees who sign up as new volunteers will receive an extra raffle ticket.
For more information or to purchase raffle tickets, call (814) 867-3131, email j.haner@comcast.net or stop by the Westerly Parkway store..
