St. Mary's parishioners open thrift store to help school system

By KATIE LEFEBVRE, Globe staff reporter
July 28, 2005

STORM LAKE - St. Mary's parishioners in Storm Lake have started a new business venture to raise more funds for the local preK-12 Catholic school. Volunteers opened the S.O.S. Thrift Store, 205 Flindt Drive, Storm Lake, July 11 at 10 a.m.

The store sells donated clothes, shoes, jewelry, housewares, books, furniture and many miscellaneous items. The items for sale have been donated by parishioners and community members willing to support the project. All net proceeds will be contributed to the school's general fund.

The building is in a visible place in town, commented Dawn Prosser, development director for St. Mary Parish and School.

The S.O.S. Thrift Store is staffed by volunteers, led by St. Mary's High School graduates and sisters Rae Thompson and Peg Flynn. Thompson and Flynn are often working alongside their mother, Edith Harrington, also a St. Mary's graduate and Flynn's daughter Annie, St. Mary's third grade student.

"We had some parent meetings this winter talking about the income shortfall," said Prosser. "We are a single-parish supported school. That makes things more difficult than having multiple parishes support you financially. Things become more and more difficult as expenses go up. There was some brainstorming."

Prosser noted that Flynn approached her after the meeting to talk to her about the Bargain Center in Sioux City and suggested St. Mary's look into something similar. There was another parent meeting shortly after that.

"More people became interested in it," said Prosser. "Bob O'Brien is one of our finance council members. Apparently his mother was instrumental in the Bargain Center opening in Sioux City. He helped them with the background work."

She explained that Flynn and Thompson did a lot of the ground work for the project. They were also the ones that helped in cleaning the building and setting things up and pricing items.

"I think they have been spending a lot of hours everyday out there," said Prosser.

The store is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Donations may only be dropped off during the store's open hours. Receipts for tax deductions are available upon request.

"It is a totally volunteer driven project," said Prosser. "The parish and the community are getting behind it. I know they are approaching other parishes as well. It is a nice way for the parish to work together focusing on providing a faith-based education for preK-12 in the community. It is good for Storm Lake to have an option of a preK-12 school system."

S.O.S. also has a governing board of seven individuals who have come forward to manage the new project. Board members are looking for more volunteers to help staff the store.

"They are working hard and doing a great job," said Prosser.

Those interested in volunteering can stop by the store or leave their name and number with the St. Mary's Parish Office at (712) 732-3110.