Events
Behind the Scenes Tour
Monday, June 03, 2013
28th Annual Hunger Walk
Saturday, June 29, 2013
Hunger Walk 2013
Saturday, June 29, 2013
published February 07, 2012
The New Economy is Working!
Non Profit Community Threads a Retail Success~ Needs Volunteers!
Breakthrough Urban Ministries began a wonderful partnership with non profit upscale thrift store Community Threads in Buffalo Grove. Social Impact Entrepreneur Elizabeth Maring had a vision to create a large, upscale thrift store, staff it all by volunteers, and use the profits to make grants to ministries like Breakthrough! Wow, what an amazing concept in the social impact space- retailing with heart. We are delighted to report that the store is already both a retail and financial success, but we need your volunteer support to keep it going.
The store opened Labor Day Weekend 2011 and took off with a bang, or should we say 'a ring'; sales have consistently increased every month as the economic need grows and the word spreads about this new venture. Over 125 volunteers from 3 organizations donate time every week by working just one 3 hour shift doing something in the store they enjoy; cashiering, helping customers, receiving goods, organizing, and more.
Currently, Breakthrough has about 25 regular weekly volunteers but needs 10 more as schedules change or people travel. A volunteer recounts am example where community generosity came together perfectly to meet community need, “I had just re-organized the shoe display in the men’s area and a customer was trying to find something suitable, so imagine our mutual surprise and delight to find a pair of perfectly fitting, excellent quality Dockers to replace his tattered and well traveled ones!” Stories like this occur every day and really bring to life God’s promise that He will provide exactly what we need.
As a non-profit grant recipient we are blessed to be a part of this generous and profitable venture. But as a recipient we do have responsibility; we are charged with finding and supplying our share of volunteers to work 3 hour shifts at the store. Margaret Mead eloquently said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever does." We could not agree more.
Get Involved —10 More Volunteers Needed!
- Attend a bi-weekly sort night on Thursday’s to learn about the store and it’s mission
- Sign up for a 3 hour volunteer shift on a weekly basis, its fun and rewarding
- Keep Community Threads top of mind for all your high-quality donations, especially furniture- pick up’s provided
Location: 70 W. Dundee Road, Buffalo Grove, 60089 (intersection of Dundee and Buffalo Grove Road) Website: www.communitythreads.org
If you are interested to serve, please respond to Melissa Hovey at mhovey@breakthrough.org