NEWS - Lowcountry News

July 25, 2011 - God's Goods Thrift Store, a ministry of The Church of the Cross celebrates its one-year anniversary of non-profit service to the Lowcountry community on July 30.

A public celebration marking The Church of the Cross' outreach ministry - including live music, food, drink and birthday cake - is from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the store at 53 Persimmons St., Suite 103, just off Bluffton Parkway and across from Regions Bank. Everyone is invited to the Saturday event.

God's Goods was inspired by a Church of the Cross mission trip to Belize in the summer of 2009, said thrift store manager Kim Perri. All proceeds from the thrift store benefit such missions, and ministry work in the local and regional area. The church's mission council oversees the thrift store and distributes funds generated from the sale of clothing, furniture, children's clothing and toys, books, and kitchen appliances.

"God's Goods is staffed entirely by volunteers," Perri said. "The majority of our volunteers are members of The Church of the Cross, but many are not members of the church. In addition, we have met several new friends by opening the doors of God's Goods to the community as a place to serve community service hours.

"Blessings have overflowed from our staff in new friendships formed and ministering and serving both our fellow workers as well as our customers."

The store is open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays. Donations are accepted any time the store is open and from 9 a.m.-noon on Mondays.

Many donations to God's Goods are in turn given to outreach ministries of The Church of the Cross and the community, including the church's weekly food bank every Tuesday morning at the Calhoun Street campus, Bluffton Self Help, Old Savannah Mission, Family Promise, Volunteers in Medicine and others.

"We were so excited when a member of our community recently put together a drive to help tornado victims and God's Goods was not only a shopping place for her, but we were able to donate many items as well," Perri said.

"We are so very thankful to the congregation and staff of The Church of the Cross for all of their help and support of this new ministry over the past year," she said. "We are also very grateful to our community for its support and welcoming of this new venture in Bluffton. We look forward to growing and serving in the next several years to come."

At July 30's celebration, there will be a live music at 10 a.m., and doughnuts and coffee from 10-11:30 a.m. Hotdogs and cold drinks will be available from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., with a God's Goods Thrift birthday cake from 1-3 p.m.

Special anniversary sale items will include half-price clothing and discounts on housewares, linens, furniture and televisions.