Blessing the Community through the Bargain Center
The Ministry Village Bargain Center offers discount shopping and thrifty finds to bargain shoppers; however, its primary mission is to provide funding for the various programs of Ministry Village at Olive – including the Tender Hearts Caring Hands food pantry and benevolence program; Most Excellent Way’s addiction support groups; and the Charis House, a faith-based residential recovery program for women suffering from addiction. In addition to benefiting our community through these ministries, the Bargain Center team and volunteers continually seek out new ways to bless others. Recently, the Bargain Center began new partnerships with some local organizations to give extra inventory a new life.
In late 2021, Bargain Center manager Julie Paden learned about a small local ministry working with the homeless, and specifically ministering to homeless veterans. Julie reached out to Reverend Timothy Chandler, USMC Retired, and soon a new partnership had begun.
“Our homeless ministry goes out and feeds the homeless, and brings them clothes and hygiene items a couple times a week,” explains Rev. Chandler. “Every 2 months, we go to Brent Park and host a big day of blessings. We sing together, feed them, give out clothes, bicycles, hygiene items, and share the Gospel. We always have a big turnout and sometimes even run out of food and clothing. Thanks to the Bargain Center, we now have more help to bless them with clothing and items they desperately need.”
This newest partnership is just one way that the Bargain Center joins with other organizations to make a difference in the community. Kathy Clements, a dedicated Bargain Center volunteer and Ministry Village Board Member, initiated a partnership with local hospitals during the pandemic to help patients in need of clothing. Kathy learned that local hospitals often have patients who have no clean clothing when they are discharged from care, and no local family members to help them. “When patients arrive at the hospitals by ambulance, or have been long-term care patients, they often have no clothes to wear when they are discharged,” says Kathy. Baptist Hospital has a small clothing closet consisting primarily of lost and found items and a few donated pieces. Through this partnership, the Bargain Center now curates specific types of clothing that will work well for patients and provide them to the hospital. “Items are not for resale,” explains Julie. “They are to be given freely to those in need.”
In addition to local non-profit organizations and hospitals, the Bargain Center regularly supports local foster families. “Many families receive emergency placements, and often those children come with only a few items of clothing. We work with foster families to help them find what they need.” In addition to providing items from their excess inventory, the Bargain Center is able to provide foster families with gift cards to shop for specific items. “We also sell Bargain Center gift cards, so anyone can pay it forward by purchasing a gift card and donating it back to the Bargain Center. We use those donated gift cards to bless families in need.” Gift cards can also be purchased as gifts for friends or family members.
“Finding new ways to reach our community and share God’s love and blessings with others is why we are here,” says Julie. “We are excited to be able to give items to these local groups and do what we can to make them feel cared for and more confident.”
For more information about the Ministry Village Bargain Center, follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MinistryVillageBargainCenter or on Instagram @MinistryVillageBargains.
For more information on Ministry Village at Olive, Inc. and its work in the community, follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MinistryVillage, on Twitter @MinistryVillage, visit their website, MinistryVillage.org, or call (850) 473-4466.
Shop the Bargain Center at 92 E. Nine Mile Road, just east of Palafox, near the railroad tracks. Monday through Saturday, 9 AM to 5 PM. With great deals on furniture, clothing and more, there’s always something exciting for everyone!
Donations are accepted Monday through Saturday, 9 AM to 4 PM. If you have large furniture, call the Bargain Center during regular store hours to schedule the Bargain Center’s truck for pickup. 850-912-9222.
**Because of government regulations, the Bargain Center does not accept donations of mattresses, and does not sell used or new mattresses. Please contact your sanitation service to dispose of used mattresses. **
