The Kunkletown Thrift store at the Eldred Community Center is back, and manager Donna Deihl wants everyone to know the store has something for everyone.

The thrift store shares the old Eldred Township Elementary School with the Eldred food pantry, so there is plenty of room for all the donations they receive.

“We have baby clothes, children’s clothes, men and women’s clothes. The men’s clothes in one room and the ladies’ in another room,” she said.

One entire room is dedicated to wedding attire, which includes racks filled with wedding gowns, not to mention all the wedding gowns still in their box from the dry cleaners. Many of the dresses still have the tags on and have never been worn.

Mother-of-the-bride dresses are almost as plentiful as the wedding dresses. They even have tuxedos for the groom and a few smaller children’s suits, as well.

The next holiday is Valentine’s Day and they already have an entire table devoted to Valentine’s Day decorations and knickknacks and are working on sorting through the St. Patrick’s Day and Easter decorations.

“We actually get a lot of holiday donations and we try to put out the decorations and knickknacks for what holiday is coming,” Deihl said.

“We are very lucky. Several bridal shops donate their samples to our thrift store,” Deihl said.

“Soon, before you know it, the store will be advertising the yearly prom dress sale. Just like the wedding dresses, the number of prom dresses are overwhelming and many still have the price tags on them,” she said.

Volunteers

The thrift store is staffed entirely by volunteers in the community, and all the money the store takes in goes to the Eldred Community Center.

Deihl, who is still a volunteer, said, “We are always looking for volunteers.”

She spends most of her time in the intake area of the thrift store sorting items, setting up the rooms and helping customers to load furniture they purchased.

Deihl said she would never be able to do it without the other volunteers who show up faithfully and help out.

“They are the backbone of this place,” she said.

With all the bantering between the volunteers, you can tell they are a close. Deihl said she usually checks with her volunteers early before she comes to work.

“I just like to know how everyone is doing and see what’s going on, so I can get a plan for the day,” she said.

FYI

The thrift store is located at 516 Kunkletown Road, Kunkletown.

Donations are accepted from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday through Friday.

Appointments are not needed.

People are asked to find a volunteer or the cashier and they will direct you where to go.

People donating are asked not to make boxes too heavy as it is difficult for volunteers to handle.

If you are bringing furniture, please bring help to unload it.

The store is always looking for volunteers.

Store hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Friday.

Keep up to date with the thrift shop on its Facebook page.