Baby clothes and punch bowls are paying for new shoes and wells for those in need.

Jackie Heckman, a North Shelby resident, hopes items sold out of the Treasure&8217;s Thrift Store in Pelham will continue to allow many people to go on mission trips in other countries.

&8220;Everyone in the United States has so much stuff,&8221; Heckman said. &8220;The premise is for me to take in donations from the community to turn American excess into cash for us to support missionaries.&8221;

Any profits made go toward missions in Iran, Peru and other countries as well as local charities like the Jimmy Hale Mission and The Foundry. Heckman said the soon to be not-for-profit group prefers to send cash donations as a flexible means of giving.

&8220;They may have a need we don&8217;t even know about,&8221; Heckman said. &8220;They may need to dig a well and we can&8217;t really supply that from the United States.&8221;

Heckman ran the Nice As New consignment shop in Hoover for 11 years. Now she is using those talents to run Treasures Thrift Store, which opened in March. She said she feels God was calling her to put her abilities to use.

&8220;I was rebellious in the beginning … but my daughter decided she would go to Africa for two months and I thought, if she can go halfway around the world, I can go 10 minutes down the road to Pelham to help,&8221; Heckman said.

She said anyone interested in volunteering can come sort merchandise, clean the storeand help customers. The store accepts any gently used items and will provide a tax receipt for any donations.

Heckman is planning a grand opening celebration for the Treasures Thrift Store in August. The store is located at 2842 Pelham Parkway, across from Pelham First Baptist, in the Pelham Mall.

Store hours

Mon. – Sat. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m