Local News

Sheffield ‘pride’

Thrift shop proceeds help keep pantry stocked

SHEFFIELD -- Though small in size, Sheffield is full of a spirit defined by local pride.

Neighbors truly look out for one another. Through generous donations of items and especially time, dedicated volunteers display a love for their community, achieving what matters most: Love your neighbor as yourself.

The local thrift store uses its proceeds to go directly into the food pantry and the two are located not far from each other. The thrift store is housed in a building owned by Marge and Lee Lewis from the Lewis Bus Co. Lifetime Sheffield resident and very active community member Jack Cashmere shared that for over 10 years there has been an agreement between the bus company and thrift store to share the cost of utilities, with no other charges for the building's usage.

Cashmere shared, "It’s a matter of the community coming together and looking out for other people. They do a great job here. We have a good bunch of volunteers that are very dedicated to being here when they’re supposed to be in, and organizing the place. They take a lot of pride in the whole thing."

A total reliance on donations, the operation of the thrift store is run by Rebecca Plummer. When shopping at the thrift, which by the way sells everything for 50 cents, the proceeds often cover the costs for what is paid to Second Harvest for the Ecumenical Food Pantry around the corner. "It’s hard to believe how nickels and dimes can add up each week and what it can accomplish." Cashmere continued, "It's God’s hands all around." Cashmere said he gives back what he has, and knows that all the volunteers are there for that same reason.

The store was not intended to support the pantry. The amount of revenue that such a small place in a small community, open just two days a week is remarkable. It is not uncommon for Cashmere to be handed money for the food pantry. He shared that a small business owner in town puts tips in a jug and donates to the cause and people drop off donations of housewares, clothing and canned goods to the store all the time.

The pantry has been in existence for nearly 50 years. After a time of running the pantry out of the Ruth M. Smith center, a different location around the corner from the thrift store was obtained and the Sheffield Area Ecumenical Food Pantry currently operates at 18 Leather St, Sheffield.

Another group of volunteers unload delivery trucks and stock shelves monthly. Tom Russell maintains the inventory and stocking plans, and works with board president Jack Werner who orders the food and meat products monthly. In front of the building there is a large packing room and in back, a large storage room where inventory volunteers stock the well organized shelves and over a dozen freezers are filled.

n a packing day about eight volunteers gather to pack pantry items into a very organized set up, categorized by family size. Upon entry, on the distribution day, a table of volunteers help people with paperwork while other volunteers assist with getting the right items to those that come in for food. In this super organized and clean space, a color coding system to sort out dates on food items is maintained. Cashmere said, "I’m really proud of the activity we have here. You do it because it makes you feel good, you know, and you should. People should give back, so then others know that they can give too. It’s surprising how we set an example of how this is working, and people can see everybody working together."

The Sheffield Food Pantry is located near Tops Grocery Store with the distribution held on the third Wednesday of each month from 3 to 5:30 p.m.

The Thrift shop hours are Friday 9:30 to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday from 8:30 to 12 p.m. and is located at 305 South Main Street in Sheffield, PA.