Church thrift store, food pantry fill community needs

WARREN — Every Wednesday afternoon, several members of Woodside Bible Church-Warren Campus gather in the basement of the south entrance to do the Lord’s work.

They are the volunteers who operate the church’s Thrift Closet, a resale shop that sells gently used items — clothing, jewelry, kitchenware, tools — at discounted prices. The staff is friendly, purchases are cash only, and all sales are final.

The Thrift Closet is open from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. every Wednesday. The community is welcome to shop inside the brightly lit and well-organized secondhand store, located at 27300 Hoover Road. Shoppers don’t have to be members of the church to come and browse around.

The Thrift Closet first opened in the late 2000s. In 2015, sisters Joanne White and Kaye Hill took it over. About 50 people on average find bargains at the Thrift Closet every week.

“It started as a small area in the hall and we’ve grown over the years,” White said.

The Thrift Closet is stocked with men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, evening wear, dishes, bed linens, towels, small kitchen appliances, glassware, craft supplies and greeting cards. There are also plenty of toys, books, Bibles, picture frames, lamps and more.

“You never know what you’re going to find,” White said. “We try to keep in mind the low prices so people are capable of providing special things for their families. My sister felt that was an important philosophy.”

Because of medical issues, Hill is unable to currently assist, but White still leads the volunteers.

“This is where the Lord wanted me. It’s where I am meant to be,” White said. “I love being with people, both the volunteers and the shoppers. My first job at age 16 was in a retail store, Shoppers Fair. By the time that place went out of business, I worked at all the departments.”

Donated items that are clean and in working condition are accepted during business hours. Any donations the store can’t use are redistributed to other nonprofit organizations. Proceeds from sales are donated to various local causes, including the Macomb County Rotating Emergency Shelter Team. Store profits also have assisted families in need.

Money also will be used toward the upcoming “Spring Serve 2023” oil change program. The church is offering oil changes for $5 each from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 6. Register your car at tiny.cc/oilchange23 before May 4. The Thrift Closet will be open that day for anyone who would like to go shop. For any questions, send emails to oilchange@woodsidebible.org.

About 15 volunteers in different capacities run the Thrift Closet. Some greet customers while others are on the retail floor stocking merchandise and helping patrons. Kathy Hanselman, for example, works behind the scenes preparing the merchandise to sell. On April 5, the Center Line resident sat at a desk carefully counting puzzle pieces and game pieces.

“We have a good time. Everyone lifts each other’s burdens,” said Hanselman, also a member of the church’s prayer team. “I enjoy this very much. I think it’s wonderful.”

Hanselman is the widow of David Hanselman, who served on the Center Line City Council for 28 years. He also was Center Line mayor from 2009 until he died in 2015.

“I miss him but I’m going to see him again,” Hanselman said.

Hanselman has remained active in the community. She plays piano at the regular Center Line Lions Club meetings. In addition, she and Jackie Lancaster will serve as prayer coordinators for Center Line’s National Day of Prayer observance, set for noon on May 4 outside by the flagpole at the David W. Hanselman Municipal Complex on 10 Mile Road west of Van Dyke Avenue.

Sadly, Thrift Closet volunteer Tina Marie Battle died in January.

“She had a generous heart. She had been here so long and brought stability,” volunteer Valorie Fisher said. “A lot of customers miss her.”

 

The Food Pantry
In another part of the basement, a separate group of volunteers — including Beth Rogensues and Frank Rogensues-Campos — run the Woodside Bible Church Food Pantry from noon to 4 p.m. Mondays and from 9 a.m. until noon Fridays.

There are no income guidelines in which to receive food, but recipients must fill out a form for the church files. Volunteers then take those in need through the Food Pantry to select meats, cereal, soups, canned fruits and vegetables, pastas, toothpaste and more.

“We try to give you one of everything,” Food Pantry Director Beverly Taylor said, adding you don’t have to be a church member to receive a donation.

Taylor has been volunteering for seven years. It all started when a former pastor stopped by the church one day to donate food to people coming in. Knowing he needed help, Taylor offered to volunteer.

“I told him ‘I will help you out,’” she said. “This has been such a blessing. I love it.”

Taylor and the volunteers begin each day with a prayer. Anyone who comes into the food pantry is welcome to pray with the group, but it is not mandatory.

The Food Pantry receives 2,000 pounds of food from the Macomb Food Program the first and third Wednesday of each month. Volunteers are always needed to help bring the food downstairs.

Vets Returning Home, in Roseville, and Vietnam Veterans of America in Clinton Township, donate food, as do local Boy Scout troops. The annual U.S. Postal Service’s Stamp Out Hunger program, set for May 13 this year, also is a big boost.

“I am so counting on that,” Taylor said.

Volunteers are always needed to help during the Food Pantry hours. That includes assisting guests, marking items, stocking shelves, sanitizing carts and cleaning. If interested, contact Beverly Taylor at btaylor306@hotmail.com or (586) 872-6571. Food items are always welcome.

For more information on Woodside Bible Church, call (586) 758-4750 or visit woodsidebible.org.