HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) -
In the Shining Light Thrift Shop in downtown Harrisburg, they operate from a business plan built on faith.
Shining Light Board President, Connie Hanna, says their mission is to help everyone in need: "Everybody that comes into our store, we verbally try to tell them, we're a ministry. And, if you can't afford our prices, we have discount programs."
For 20 years, parishioners from St. Patrick Cathedral in Harrisburg have been there for those needing help...and those just looking for bargains.
Hanna adds "I think it's God's will that we're here in the area because we have a purpose. We have a mission. We've had the same mission since day one. And, that's to serve the underprivileged people with clothing and household goods."
Many customers are walk-ins from downtown offices or the nearby neighborhood. Most of them are able and willing to pay full price for purchases, helping to offset the costs of the free and discount programs relied on by some two-thousand people a year.
The seven day a week enterprise is manned by three paid staff and more than 25 volunteers, tackling a neverending routine of sorting through donated items, labeling the items, getting them onto the racks and up onto the shelves.
Business owner Hanni Craton is a regular at theShining Light Thrift Shop., looking for bargains for her and her bakery.
"I love the housewares selection. They have really, really great kitchen stuff and they also have a great selection of vintage clothing, so I usually go through that as well."
Hanna says "It makes us feel great when people love shopping here and they say 'Oh, I'm so glad I found you. I'll be back.' "
Shining
Light Thrift Shop
1310 North Third Street
Harrisburg PA 17102
(717) 234-2436
shininglightthriftshop@gmail.com
