Economy drives customers to Good Sam

Alice Cashion purchases a $3 bag of clothes from Good Samaritan volunteer James Alexander. (T-G Photo by Sadie Fowler) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Picked-over racks filled the Good Samaritan Thrift Store, located on East Highland Street, Monday afternoon -- the day of Good Sam's monthly bag sale.

"This is about as bare as I've ever seen (the racks)," said volunteer James Alexander, pointing out how many shoppers came through the store Monday. "I think (the economy) is going to get much, much worse before it gets better."

Cathy Miller, director of Bedford County Good Samaritan, agreed, and said this year, more than usual, Good Sam has seen firsthand the struggles locals have endured.

"We are much busier than normal," Miller said. "Prices are high and people are struggling to make ends meet."

On Monday, at the thrift store, shoppers could find that much-needed bargain. For $3, shoppers could fill a 33-gallon bag to the brim with any of the items in the store's designated area. Good Sam also sold $2 and $1 bags.

The bag sale is held on the first Monday of each month from 9 a.m to 4 p.m. It's just one more way Good Sam can provide relief, in addition to the organization's general mission to feed and help those in need.

Normally, Miller said, items in the thrift store are on sale for any price between 5 cents and a few dollars.

"I wish we could give it all away," she said. "The only reason we charge is so we can pay our utilities."

Utility bills were also on Alice Cashion's mind Monday as she shopped.

"This place is just wonderful," said Cashion, who was shopping for her grandchildren. "I've shopped here for years. I'm living off my Social Security checks and that's it. I'm dreading my next utility bill."

Miller said the thrift store is not solely for low income families. She knows of at least one teacher who shops there regularly in order to have an ample supply of clothes on hand for students in her class who may need them.

Good Sam volunteer Dot Rowland sifts through recent donations that will be available for purchase this month at the thrift store. (T-G Photo by Sadie Fowler) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

By the end of the day Monday, any items that remained on the sale racks would be donated to the Community Closet, which gives clothes away. It wouldn't have been much, though.

"We were very busy today," said Dot Rowland, another volunteer.

Rowland was already busy organizing a new, and large, collection of clothes that would immediately fill the racks after Monday's leftovers were taken away.

"We have new clothes out every month," Miller said.

The thrift store accepts all clothing items, as well as other household items, but Miller said they're especially in need of children's clothes. Clothes may be dropped off on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays only, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

"I want to stress for people not to drop clothes off when we are not open," Miller said. "We had to haul off a bunch of clothes recently because someone left them outside when we weren't here and they got all wet."

WHAT YOU CAN DO

For more information about donating clothes or other household items to the Good Samaritan Thrift Store, call 684-1189 or stop by the store, which is located at 201 E. Highland St.