The Good Samaritan Center has gotten a bit of a facelift.
On the outside, new siding, new windows, and a new sign are visible. The new sign was designed by Alissa Toering.
Inside, painting has begun. A new door dividing the shop from the back room was put in. Further plans include painting, rearranging, and some general fixing up.
The community is good to us. Co-director Sherry Wurtz said.
The Center relies on donations. Donations come from civic groups, churches, fundraisers, and food drives.
Any money from shop sales goes toward keeping the place running.
The Center utilizes 5 volunteers on the shop side, and 2 on the pantry side. Penny Ihnen and Sherry Wurtz act as co-directors. There is also a board.
The thrift shop opened in 1988. After a fire on Main Street, citizens wanted to give to families who had lost their homes. But there was no place for the donations to be kept. Hence the Good Samaritan Center was established.
The Center is open on Tuesdays from 4-7 p.m., and on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The pantry side assists around 40 families a month. The shop side has many regular customers.
Volunteers are also at work outside of open hours.
Volunteer Jolene Sloan said Ive been so blessed my whole life. I wanted to give. She added I can give of my time.
Both Sloan and Wurtz said that working at the Center is rewarding. They agreed that it is done with love.
Sloan said We get to know the customers. We really care about them.
She referred to Redfield as a generous community.
Wurtz added People are very giving. Its an amazing little town.
Donations can be dropped off at the Center.
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