Church thrift shop expansion helps volunteers serve mission to give back

SANBORNTON — Volunteers who run a thrift shop underneath the First Baptist Church of Sanbornton are excited about an expansion of their space.

Charlotte Tibbetts, a member of the church’s congregation and driving force behind the thrift shop, staffs the store each week. The store has a large variety of clothing, accessories and household items available, generally at steep discounts. 

It’s open from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays, April through December.

The proceeds earned at the thrift shop — run entirely by the volunteers — benefit the church’s projects and operations, but the shop's existence itself largely benefits economically disadvantaged members of the community. 

Twice a year, for example, the thrift shop runs a special for shoppers to stuff a large bag with anything that fits for just $5. This year is the third they’ve been open, and the first following an expansion which added over 400 square feet of floor space.

“People are so generous,” Tibbetts said. “This is our third summer.”

After the church completed renovations which included an addition to the building, it left a lot of open space in the basement. Before this year, the shop was limited to two rooms, plus occasional outside yard sale-style space. Now, they’ve got an entire additional room to make best use of and, at present, they’re using it to store and organize merchandise.

The volunteer group's initial thought was to create a food pantry, but after discussion, they decided the best use for the long vacant space would be a thrift shop.

“We have a great group of women who help out,” Tibbetts said.

It wasn’t easy though, as first the space needed to be fire rated. After clearing the operation with the fire department, the project began.

On a Wednesday morning in April, there were a handful of volunteers there, working to organize inventory and complete other routine tasks. Several customers came in and out through the side door, browsing items throughout the space. Shop volunteers see customers coming from all over, places like Gilmanton and even so far as Lincoln to shop.

“Word of mouth, I guess,” Tibbetts said. 

The community rallies around the church shop, too. The last week of April, they received five truckloads of donations, mostly of clothes, but they also sell household items and toys.

“It’s great for folks to be able to shop for their kids in this day and age of high prices,” Tibbetts said.

The thrift shop proceeds contribute to the town’s recreation department, too. When teams are in need of items like baseball gloves or water bottles, for example, the church shop will donate them, ensuring a child is able to get the equipment they need to participate. They’ve also donated to a nursing home in Concord, and regularly contribute items or supplies to the local school district.

“If we can make somebody’s life a little better, let’s do it,” Tibbetts' sister Bonnie Beadle, who also volunteers at the shop, said last month. 

Everything they earn goes back to the church to help fund their mission, Tibbetts said, describing the operation as the congregation’s “money maker”. The church was able to pave their parking lot, thanks in part to proceeds earned by the shop.

“For families struggling, it’s very nice,” Beadle said, noting they often give items to those in need for free.

“We help whoever we can help,” Tibbetts said.

Volunteers are excited at present to offer prom dresses for just $10, hopefully supporting students who might not otherwise afford one. They also contribute items to a program run in partnership by the local school district and the town which allows children to do Christmas shopping for their families each year.

“Some of the stuff is brand new,” Beadle said. 

Facebook is proving quite useful for the shop — volunteers market the store there and sell items on the site's marketplace, particularly items which are large or unwieldy.

“It’s steady all day,” Tibbetts said, noting some people tend to come each day each week.

“It’s just blown all expectations,” Beadle said. “It’s been a labor of love.”

“You have to be dedicated,” Tibbetts said. “Just hearing people laugh is so meaningful to us.”

Editors note: This story has been updated to correct the operating days for thrift store, Wednesdays and Saturdays, as well as the spelling of Charlotte Tibbetts' name.