Mahaska Outreach Thrift Store Giving Locally
Mahaska County Outreach
Bargains for all and Donations to the Needy
For the two previous years, Mahaska County Outreach had no profit from the Thrift Store they operate at 114 North 1st Street in Oskaloosa. But since a a store overhaul, lowering prices, and new management this past fall, the 501c3 charity is now better able to give back to the community.
Alice Moore, the new store manager, took over Thrift Store operations in mid-October. Since an overhaul by Moore and volunteers, the shop has more customers, more donations, lower prices, and is receiving compliments on the merchandise and re-vamped retail area.
Thirty year history in Oskaloosa
According to Moore, the store was established in 1983 to provide economically-priced goods to county residents. Donations received are priced by volunteers and sold to the general public. “Bringing prices down, marking sizes on apparel, and keeping a rotating inventory is what we’ve done,” according to Moore.
Mahaska Outreach was established when the Salvation Army closed operations in Oskaloosa 30 years ago. All profits from the sale of merchandise are reinvested in the store and in other local charities that help improve the quality of life for those less fortunate in Mahaska County.
Until Goodwill opened its store, the Outreach Thrift Store was the only source for low-cost donated clothing, linens, furniture and housewares in Oskaloosa..With store profits now being realized, Mahaska County Outreach has awarded grant funds to four other area non-profits.
Outreach funds given to other local charities
During January donations of $2,000 each have been given to Crisis Intervention Services; the YMCA, and to the Eucumenical Cupboard. The Capri Theatre in New Sharon, also a non-profit organization, will receive $750 from Outreach if they raise similar funds from either The Daily Trust or Mahaska County Community Foundation.
“We’re making more money now that we’ve lowered prices. Children’s clothing to just fifty cents an item for tops, bottoms, sleepwear, gloves, mittens, shoes, boots and slippers. Underwear, socks, bibs and hats are just twenty-five cents each and coats and jackets are $2.00. We’re making our store a place where families can come for quality merchandise at prices they can afford and we share our profits through other charities”, says Moore.
Adult clothing prices have also dropped, with apparel ranging from twenty-five cents to just three or four dollars. The Thrift Store regularly sponsors “Bag Days” when paper grocery sacks can be filled for
one set price, providing even greater savings.
Local donations and sales profit locally
“We’re always accepting donations of good, saleable merchandise, and unlike Goodwill, all the donations and the money we receive, goes back into our local county,” according to Moore. “I hope residents will remember that giving their donations to our local charity really does the most good locally.”
Mahaska County Outreach Thrift Store is at 114 North 1st Street, and is open from 9-5 Monday through Friday, and from 9-3 on Saturdays. Donations are accepted in the retail store, or in the alley, where a buzzer is located for unloading merchandise. In addition to selling merchandise, Oskaloosa Hy-Vee donates day-old bakery goods to the Thrift Store, and these are available at no cost to shoppers.
