|
by Elisa Hawkes
Coastal Journal staff
Edgecomb Thrift Shop
In the Edgecomb Congregational Church Thrift Shop
15 Cross Point Road, Edgecomb
Contact: Louise Hardina
Phone: 882-4060 or 563-5236
The Edgecomb Thrift Shop is more than just a place to find bargains on reusable items. It is a community center where seniors, neighbors, and friends can meet on a weekly basis to catch up and enjoy each other’s company. It is also a source of funding for agencies in the area that help seniors and children, and for food pantries, homeless shelters, fuel assistance, and more.
The idea of starting a thrift shop began when a volunteer contemplated what could be done with the unused space in the kitchen that had recently been replaced. The idea was presented to the church council, and soon volunteers were cleaning out and painting the space. Fixtures were ordered, and a plea for donations was made. In early November 2005, The Edgecomb Thrift Shop opened for business in the lower level of the church.
As stated on the website, “It has never been about the money. We have virtually no overhead, so it became obvious that there would be money and that we were in a position to help in places we hadn’t thought of. Our mission became one of service to the community.”
Along those lines, the store has since become home to weekly community lunches. The number of lunch attendees average in the upper 20s. The annual Thanksgiving turkey potluck lunch (Tuesday before Thanksgiving) has more than 40 in attendance. The weekly lunches are an important event in the social lives of many seniors in the entire area, not just from Edgecomb. Some come from as far away as Boothbay Harbor and Bristol.
The Thrift Shop prides itself on the good it does with the donations people make. A list of agencies to which donations are made, as well as a printout of the checkbook, is posted in the store so patrons always know where their money is going.
The thrift store will accept donations of all sorts of clothing in clean and serviceable condition, household linens, small kitchen appliances, dishes, pots and pans, candles, various knick-knacks, and more. Accessories such as purses, wallets, belts, scarves, and ladies’ jewelry are welcome. And books, of course, are always needed.
As they say at the shop, “I tell folks that we have ‘one of everything.’ We just have to find it.”
Due to limited space, certain items cannot be accepted as donations, such as large furniture, toys, exercise equipment, and most electronics. There is a network in place for people who need larger items, so the thrift shop can connect donors with those who need the items.
The Thrift Shop, located at The Edgecomb Congregational Church (ECC), United Church of Christ, 15 Cross Point Rd., Edgecomb, is open twice weekly, Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and during the monthly public suppers, held from May to October in the church dining room. For more information, call 882-4060, email
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
, or visit www.edgecombchurch.org/thrift-shop.php.
 |
Show/hide comments
Show/hide comment form