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New Thrifty Shopper on west side to help fund Rescue Mission

Chris Bolt

A Rescue MissionThrifty Shopper store opened its doors today in the Westvale Plaza to try to raise money and support for the local needy. This new store contains mainly clothing, but also sells furniture, books, CDs, movies, and kitchen appliances. Store manager Marty Proper, they work to develop a strong community presence as they have at their other locations.

“The customers are really great.  We see a lot of repeat customers, which is really wonderful.  A lot of them we get to know on a first name bases; they come in ‘Hi, How are you doing’.  We know their kids, we know them.”        

Credit Chris Bolt
Dozens of shoppers were ready to check out the merchandise moments after the ribbon cutting.

Proper also adds that the Thrifty Shopper will add new jobs to the area, and will work to employ people from their programs. Rescue Mission C-E-O Alan Thornton reminds us that while the community has been very generous and faithful to the cause, the need is constant. The resources collected at these stores will be distributed back into the community, bringing about visible, local results.

“We want to make sure they understand, every  shirt that they buy, every purse, every pair of pants, every set of shoes, every household item, that’s a meal, that’s shelter night, that’s case-management services to help them find employment and receive the support they need to move into their own place and sustain it.” 

Thrifty Shoppers have had some success…Thornton estimates net revenue totals nearly four (M) million dollars that goes toward helping the poor and homeless. He adds the stores make up a critical part of Rescue Mission income, with less than 10 percent coming from government aid.  In addition to providing food, clothing, and shelter, the Agency offers management services that provide job skills, internships, and employment opportunities for residents.  More information can be found online at R-M-Life-Changing-dot-org.

Chris Bolt, Ed.D. has proudly been covering the Central New York community and mentoring students for more than 30 years. His career in public media started as a student volunteer, then as a reporter/producer. He has been the news director for WAER since 1995. Dedicated to keeping local news coverage alive, Chris also has a passion for education, having trained, mentored and provided a platform for growth to more than a thousand students. Career highlights include having work appear on NPR, CBS, ABC and other news networks, winning numerous local and state journalism awards.