Changes to base Thrift Shop

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Stephanie Englar
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  If you've gone into the Thrift Shop on Columbus Air Force Base lately, you've probably noticed some big changes.

"We reorganized everything in here," said Kellie Donaldson, Thrift Shop manager. "We put up shelving and opened up a new backroom area."

By moving items to the backroom, Donaldson said that there is now room for bigger items to be placed up front, such as furniture.

The Thrift Shop carries items such as household goods, clothes, knickknacks and now furniture. While items are now well organized in specific sections of the store, they will continue to be sold for much less than what would be found in a normal retail store.

Barbara Kirkland, a regular at the Thrift Shop, said that she liked coming to the Thrift Shop to buy clothes for her 13 grandchildren, and especially liked getting name brand items at a bargain.

"All money earned in the Thrift Shop goes toward scholarships and base organizations," said Donaldson.
"We did $6,500 more last year than the previous year," said Donaldson. "That's $6,500 more that we can give out to the community. This year, we hope to do better than that."

Donaldson said that after reopening, they made $1,100 in just two days.

The Thrift Shop sorts through all donations and what they don't keep is donated to the Palmer Home, a ministry to children in need.

Donaldson said that there are always different items every time you come in.

"People can donate to the Thrift Shop 24/7," said Donaldson. "If we didn't have donations, we couldn't keep going. Donations make a huge difference in the community."