Mission Thrift Store celebrates first anniversary

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 06/04/2020 (2249 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A year has passed since the grand opening of the new Mission Thrift Store at 701 Regent Ave.

According to the store manager, donations keep coming and shoppers keep buying. Celebrating its first anniversary, the store wants to let its customers know how they have helped to make a difference in the lives of people all over the world. 

The Mission Thrift Store is a non-profit organization, with all proceeds going to Bible League Canada. This foundation has been in operation for 31 years and has 53 stores nationwide. Every dollar sent to Bible League Canada is put into the mission and is not used for any administrative costs. Bible League Canada has continued to expand and currently distributes funds to 43 countries around the world, including Canada.  

Posted inside the thrift store for the customers to see are statistics outlining what Bible League Canada has accomplished in the past year. In that short period of time, a total of 6,429 churches were started. This number includes the building of new churches as well as the organization of people to form congregations. With the training of 113,365 teachers, church leaders, preachers and missionaries, it was possible for 315,359 people to be baptized. As a result of the funds raised, a total of 2,174,693 people have been able to attend literacy programs and obtain a Christian education.Thanks to the funds raised through the Mission Thrift Stores, a staggering 6,847,883 bibles were given out and placed in the hands of new believers.

In addition to their work with Bible League Canada, the Mission Thrift Store recently started a new initiative that is directly benefiting the community of Transcona. It is now partnering with the Transcona Food Bank, providing donations of clothing at no cost. The items are then made available for purchase to the community at a minimal cost. The money generated from all sales is then used to purchase items such as milk and eggs for distribution at the food bank.

Proud of its new program, The Mission Thrift Store also offers opportunities for special needs high school students and adults to gain experience by volunteering at the store.   

The success of this past year would not have been possible without those who choose to donate items and shop in the Mission stores. In order to celebrate the store’s one-year anniversary and as a thank-you to its shoppers, preparation for an anniversary sale is underway and details will be confirmed once we are through the current COVID-19 crisis.

Cindy Murdoch is a community correspondent for Transcona. She can be contacted at reflections8@shaw.ca

Cindy Murdoch

Cindy Murdoch was a community correspondent for Transcona.

   Read full biography