By KATIE HURST/ Staff Writer

CALERA — Every weekend, women from Shiloh United Methodist Church in Calera volunteer their time to work at Shiloh’s Place, a thrift store supporting the church’s missions.

Whether it’s sorting through donations or helping customers as they find hidden treasures, the women say it’s all to give back to the community.

Myrna Wood coordinates the thrift store with the help of volunteers from the women’s ministry at the church. Wood said the group decided to open the thrift store this spring to support the church’s missions.

“All our profits go to local missions, everything,” she said.

Money received through the thrift store goes directly to the organizations the church supports, which include SafeHouse of Shelby County, Chilton-Shelby Mental Health Center, Chilton County Department of Human Resources and the United Methodist Children’s Homes of Alabama.

Before the thrift store, Shiloh United Methodist had a long history of hosting yard sales to raise funds for its missions. Wood said the yard sales got to be so big, the church realized a thrift store might be a better outlet.

“We had so much,” she said. “We were so blessed with the public giving us things we got the opportunity to use this donated building and we went from there. It just took off after that and it’s been a wonderful thing.”

The thrift store is open from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday. Customers can expect to find deals of all kinds ranging from 25 cents to $5, Wood said.

“We have a lot of variety,” she said. “Everything from women’s, men’s and children’s clothes to shoes, purses and cookware.”

On Saturday morning, the women at the thrift store also work to feed the hungry within the community. A food pantry is kept in a back room of the building, supplemented by bread donated from Publix every week.

Wood said showing up at the thrift store on Saturday morning and having a need is the only requirement for receiving the food.

The thrift store runs completely on donations, which can be dropped off at the store anytime. Wood said it is because of these donations and the kindness of those who donate, that Shiloh’s Place is able to continue serving the community.

“It’s a mission,” she said. “We’re doing this for the community and those in need.”