New Hope Thrift Store Ministries offers variety of merchandise

Anita Wolf has been collecting things and giving them away to someone who needed the items more since she was a little girl. The call to provide for the needs of others has led Wolf to open New Hope Thrift Store Ministries at 406 N. Pearl Street in Tecumseh. A ribbon cutting was held on Thursday, Oct. 25, and the store will have its Grand Opening on Monday, Oct. 29.“When I was a little girl, the body of Christ, working through churches, helped my large family,” said Wolf. “This is the ministry that God has called me to do.”Wolf said the new store is actually the extension of a ministry she and some other women have been doing from their homes for the past decade.“We get donations from local churches, and we pass things on to others in need,” she said. “We’ve talked about this for some time. Instead of having to drive to Adrian thrift shops, people would ask, ‘Why can’t we have one here?’ That was part of my inspiration.”The New Hope Thrift Store Ministries is located in a large, open space and has a cozy lounge in the corner where shoppers may obtain a cup of coffee. “We want everyone to feel comfortable here,” Wolf said. “We have a variety and there’s something for everybody at reasonable prices.” Items for sale include clothing, books, household goods, and videos, to name a few.Wolf said she is aware that families are struggling and wanted to help in the manner that her family was once helped.“It’s a ministry, too,” she said, adding that she has been involved in care ministry for at least the past 25 years. Wolf gathers baby items and works with the county’s Crisis Pregnancy Center (CPC), and bedding is often donated to agencies working with people in need. “We also provide some free clothing for homeless students, working through referrals by homeless education liaisons, pastors, or caseworkers,” she said. “We’re constantly networking.”The nonprofit ministry welcomes donations, however there are no drop-offs. Donations may be made by appointment by calling Wolf at 423.4873. She asks that callers leave a message and she will try to get back to them within a day or two, generally the next day. The same number is also applicable for those in need seeking assistance.Wolf has already been meeting a lot of people through the venture, and enjoys that about the work.“I appreciate the fact that God is using me,” Wolf said. “I’m a vessel and I want Him to continue to use me in this ministry.”Store hours are currently 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, and closed on Sunday.