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Second Blessing benefits Faith Chapel Fellowship ministries
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Chris Baker, left, and Marilee Bodendorfer , a volunteer, stand outside the Second Blessing thrift shore, 146 S. Broadway, Salem. The store was started by Faith Chapel Fellowship, and proceeds benefit its ministries and the community .
By LINDA M. LINONIS
SALEM
The Second Blessing thrift store benefits the ministries of Faith Chapel Fellowship and the community.
As the clothing, knickknacks, seasonal decorations, small appliances, furniture, sewing items and sporting goods sell, the money is used to underwrite Faith Chapel ministries. These include Revive for junior high to high school students who attend Christian concerts and take mission trips; adult Bible study for men and women; Kids for Christ for 5-year-olds to junior-high students who meet Wednesdays for Bible study and crafts; special needs ministry of Faith Chapel; Dream Team, which sponsors the Family Fun Fest in July that is open to the community; and Alcoholics Anonymous, which meets at Faith Chapel.
“The money we make goes into our ministries,” Pastor Larry Paxson said. “It’s amazing what the store has.”
The American Red Cross gives fire victims who have lost their possessions vouchers to use at the store. Clothing, which stays in the store for three months, is then donated to World Mission, a national organization.
The store shelves are packed with merchandise, and new items arrive daily.
Customers ask for baby clothes, scrubs or tools, and volunteers direct them to the proper location.
Unless, of course, manager Chris Baker has gotten creative and moved a display, which is common.
“Chris likes everything to be organized, clean and attractive,” said Marilee Bodendorfer, a volunteer.
“I like to be creative,” Baker said, adding that moving things around in the store also keeps it interesting for customers.
Her style and creativity have been confirmed in Salem’s “best of the best.” Second Blessing was named best consignment store this year and in 2013, best thrift and consignment store.
The Second Blessing is on Facebook.
Faith Chapel Fellowship began the thrift store project about eight years ago after Pastor Paxson and his wife, Lynn, vacationed in Venice, Fla., and walked past a church-owned thrift store.
Lynn Paxson said her husband thought it was something Salem needed.
The store is in its fourth year at its third location at 146 S. Broadway; moves were prompted by growth.
Baker said most of the merchandise comes from donations and sometimes estates are bought.
There also is a consignment component.
“This is a service to the community ... offering clothing, furniture and all types of things at affordable prices,” Baker said.
“I think of this as my service to the Lord,” Bodendorfer said.
The thrift store has a core group of volunteers, men and women, from Faith Chapel and the community.
The store also serves as a site for court-ordered community service and the Ohio Work Experience Program through Columbiana County Job and Family Services.
Baker developed daily specials such as half-off donated merchandise on Tuesdays to move the merchandise.
“It helps clear items and make room,” Baker said.
Baker and Bodendorfer said the store crew works well as a team and has fun as they process and price merchandise and stock shelves.
Halloween and harvest items now fill the store.
Christmas is a huge season for the store, with vintage to modern holiday items available.