There are some great bargains at the new Salvation Army Family Store and Donation Center at 1452 JA Cochran Bypass, but that’s not the only reason you should shop at that store. By spending your money at the new Family Store, you will be able to help the Salvation Army, as their slogan says, “Do the Most Good” in the community.
The new Family Store is an expansion from the previous location at Cestrian Square, said store manager Brandy Shrader.
The new store held their ribbon cutting and building dedication recently.
The Donation Center accepts gently-used items that are then marked for sale in the Family Store. The Family Store and Donation Center is open Mon-Fri 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. After hours, donations can be dropped off at a donation bin in the back of the store. The Salvation Army will also pick up larger donated items, if the donor calls 803-377-1428.
The Family Store has a wide variety of items, home decor, televisions, DVD players, VCRs, furniture and clothing. The merchandise is swapped out daily, said Shrader, so you never know what you’re going to find.
The Family Store and Donation Center are now located right next to the Chester Service Center, where those seeking help can receive Salvation Army assistance. The funds to carry on thats good work are raised through the Family Store, said Maj. Paul Cranford, Divisional HQ Director of Family Stores for North and South Carolina.
“The Salvation Army is important in the Chester community because we meet the needs of people – people who have issues with utilities, we have people who have issues with food, housing or illnesses. We meet the need of people at Christmas time who might otherwise not see Christmas gifts or food at Thanksgiving, or throughout the year. We’re living in a tough economy, and at the end of the month, people are still running short. With this new store here, the difference is it will make is to provide more income for the Salvation Army to provide more ministry here in Chester,” he said.
At the ribbon cutting, Salvation Army Advisory Board Chair Kari Cornwell told the assembled crowd, “this store is going to be such a great asset to this community. It has been a prayer answered, We’re going to be able to serve so many more families in Chester County.”
Cranford said “this store will provide the funds to help feed children, to help provide Christmas gifts, to provide help with utilities, it will provide clothing. It will give people a hand up, not a hand out, and at the Salvation Army, we think that’s important, so we can change the cycle of what has been to what can be.”