Patch Give 5: Spending a Day at More Pennies from Heaven

Several times during the year, Patch practices what it preaches in honoring the communities that we cover by giving back in the form of time.

I feel blessed working in a town like Enumclaw that has such a strong sense of duty to help out your fellow man (or woman), and this past Friday, I got to experience that for myself spending several hours working with a great group of ladies at .

More Pennies from Heaven is a thrift store that is sustained by the efforts of its volunteers and the generous donations from the larger Plateau community. It is managed by Plateau Outreach Ministries, an umbrella organization of sorts that also oversees a food bank as well as various social service programs. 

Plateau Outreach Ministries represents a concerted effort on the part of churches in the greater Enumclaw area, which are collectively known as the Plateau Ministerial Association, to provide a variety of services for those in need. 

Consequently, several volunteers came to More Pennies from Heaven through their local churches. Leonore Inks, who has been helping out for the past three to four years, said she came to volunteer at the thrift store after learning about it through , where she is a member. "I just enjoy doing it. It's a service I do for God and for my community."

Other volunteers saw helping out as a chance to give back. Debbie Miller is a direct recipient of some of the benefits provided by Plateau Outreach Ministries. "They rescued me," she said. "It's payback. I knew they needed volunteers and you know -- what comes around goes around. They're the kindest people -- it's like a big family."

Savvy local shoppers know to come into More Pennies from Heaven regularly as the stock is constantly changing and a good deal is right around the corner. On top of a varied assortment of gently used clothing, kitchen appliances, books, and dishware to choose from, the store has also benefited from the donations of some real valuable vintage items. So if you haven't taken a look in here in a while, stop by!

Volunteer Loretta Goff said they know to keep the inventory fresh which helps encourage shoppers to return. On top of that, the store marks everything in the store down 50 percent on the first Thursday of each month.

Editor's Note: An earlier version of this article mistakenly indicated that the 50 percent markdown occurred every Thursday. Thank you to store manager Deborah Games for calling in the correction. 

Goff, who started helping out since last July, said she enjoys her work because "it helps the community raise money for people who need assistance. We all need to help our neighbors. It's not necessarily ongoing help but just a hand up."

Sandy Carver, who used to work as a medical receptionist and now helps to man the front cash register, added, "All proceeds go back to the community -- that's the best part. To put a smile on someone's face and help lighten their load -- it's worth it."

Store manager Deborah Games said More Pennies from Heaven is always looking for more volunteers. A variety of people ranging from teens to retired men and women give of their time, so there is always an interested group of people to chat with and get to know while helping out a worthy cause.

If you're interested in volunteering at either the thrift store or with other programs associated with the Plateau Outreach Ministries, contact Games or POM director Kimberly Fish at 360-825-8961.

At the thrift store, volunteers typically work three hour shifts: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. Volunteers are especially needed on Saturdays, Games said.

Click our About Us section to learn more about Patch's Give 5 program.