Over Coffee
Over Coffee March 20, 2008
By Penny Fletcher penny@observernews.net
Mar 20, 2008 - 8:04:34 PM

It’s always refreshing to find an enterprise that isn’t out to make a profit. It has to make enough to stay open of course, but aside from that – I’ve found one that’s all about helping people.

I’m talking about the St. Vincent de Paul Society Thrift Store in Ruskin. Recently scrubbed, painted and decorated by its new manager, Alice Pacheco and her small staff of employees and volunteers, the mission of all who work there seems to be to see that people get what they need.

“Our store has a different mission than other thrift stores,” said its director, Rich Ricca. “The St. Vincent de Paul Society was founded in France 175 years ago to assist the poor and needy, and that’s what we do here today.”

The way they accomplish this mission is often through a voucher system. Religious organizations, county agencies and others who help people in need give out itemized vouchers for people to pick up clothing, furniture and household goods – and then that  organization pays the store for the items. The recipients are not charged, and large items can even be delivered.

Over the years the society has helped fire victims, people who have been evicted or are homeless, farm workers who arrive to pick crops with nothing but their car, and people who have left their homes due to violence, drugs or abuse. 

“Just recently a woman came in whose landlord had lost the house she rented. She had no idea it had been foreclosed on because she had been paying rent and then the sheriff showed up and told her she had to get out in 24 hours,” Rich said. “Everything she owned was confiscated when the house was locked up.”

Because everyone’s needs are different, the staff helps them in any way they can.
“Sometimes they need something but they don’t have any way to take it,” said Alice. “So we arrange pickups for donated furniture and deliveries for people who can’t get their items home.”

Penny Fletcher Photos Rich Ricca, volunteer director of the St. Vincent de Paul Society Thrift Store in Ruskin, helps staff with customers while they price donated items for sale.

You don’t have to be a needy recipient to take advantage of the low, low prices and daily specials. Anyone can shop. Blankets and sheets can be found for a few dollars; stoves and refrigerators for $65 and $75; televisions for $20 and $30 and a whole host of household items for under $1. 

“I’ve seen Florsheim shoes that cost $150 new come through here that look like they’ve never been walked in,” said Rich. These, he said, usually go for around $15.
Every day something goes even lower as daily specials are marked down. Monday is Seniors Day, when people over the age of 55 can get the already rock-bottom-priced items for 50 percent off.

But young families and people who work all week aren’t left out. Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon all clothing and many other items are marked half-price as well.
Lately donations have been coming in slower than usual and that makes it hard to keep up with demand.

“I haven’t seen a washing machine in several months,” said Alice. And Carmen O’Kane, who started as a volunteer in 1996 and is now an employee, said there has been a real shortage of beds and mattresses lately too.

Rich thinks it’s the slow economy. “My wish list includes more donations, volunteers and – yes, more shoppers too,” he said. “We aren’t here to make any big profit. We want to help the community.”

The way the St. Vincent de Paul Society is run, all profits from its two Hillsborough County stores (one in Ruskin and one in Tampa) go into a county-wide pot to fund charitable projects.

“We have to make enough so they (the Society) can help the needy and fund charitable projects but we also keep our prices low enough that shoppers will be able to buy what they need.”

One problem the store faces is that it is not on any main road, so people must hear about it by word-of-mouth.

I hadn’t been there in several years and was amazed at all the changes that have taken place. Things are laid out in an inviting way and the new décor includes rugs and artificial flowers. But the biggest change is the organization of items for sale: shoes with shoes; handbags with handbags and clothing divided into categories, each in its own space. Sheets and other bedding are kept together and many dishes and other tableware are displayed atop dinette sets that look like they’re waiting for guests to arrive.

As I said good-bye, I told Alice I’d see her again soon. It’s good to know my bargain-hunting for things I need will also be funding charitable projects.

For other bargain shoppers, or those who know someone they’d like to help, the store is at 1311 Third St. N.E., next door to Kennco Manufacturing Inc. To get there, just turn east off U.S. 41 onto 11th Avenue N.E. (between Sweetbay Supermarket and St. Anne Catholic Church) and then turn left on Third. It’s open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The telephone number is (813) 645-5255.

Happy shopping!

* Perhaps you have something you’d like to share. Or maybe you’d rather tell the community about your favorite charity or cause; or sound off about something you think needs change. That’s what “Over Coffee” is about. It really doesn’t matter whether we actually drink any coffee or not (although I probably will). It’s what you have to say that’s important.

Thrift store manager Alice Pacheco of Ruskin, left, and long-time employee Carmen O’Kane of Sun City Center, talk about the specials of the day.

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