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The cashier at Chase Corner Ministries was busy ringing up a customer's purchase recently as others shopped in the thrift store located off Chase High Road, Forest City. As Laura Johnson worked the cash register, other staff and volunteers were helping customers find their bargains throughout the store.
Shopping for bargains, receiving help with food and other emergency needs have been going on at Chase Corner Ministries for 50 years and on Saturday, October 3, everyone is invited to join in the anniversary celebration. The event begins at 11am and concludes at 5pm.
The celebration will honor 50 years of "caring for our community" as volunteers, staff and the public come together for food, music, fellowship, fun and thankfulness. Bouncy houses, corn hole and a drawing every 30-minutes will also be a part of the celebration.
Director Crystal Tate said there will be food trucks on site where the public can purchase a variety of foods. Chase Corner Ministries will not be providing food for the day.
She encourages the public to bring a lawn chair and enjoy the day-long festivities.
"All of the community is invited to help us celebrate 50 years of caring for our community," reads the anniversary poster.
"Come on, even if it's for a little while" Crystal said of the celebration.
Chase Corner Ministries began in Henrietta and later moved to the location across from Chase High School.
Among the earliest volunteers were Helen Phillips, Jim and Carolyn Miser, Inez Tate, Garland Byers, Truby Haynes and her dad Hayne.
Several volunteers are in place each day but there is always a need for more volunteers.
"There is something for everyone," Tate said.
The thrift store has expanded greatly since its earliest days and offers numerous services as it ministers to the community.
Every Wednesday from 9am to 10:30am, more than 100 people drive through the circle in front of the building where they receive a food box, that is loaded in vehicles by volunteers.
"More and more people are coming each week," said Tate. Anyone is welcome to come by for food on Wednesday and emergency food boxes are distributed during the regular hours of the thrift store, Monday-Friday from 9am to 2:30pm when needed.
When shoppers first enter the thrift store's front doors, they are in the thrift store where bargains on clothing, shoes and other wares are a part of each day.
Straight down the hall is the emergency food supply room, the "wedding and prom dress" thrift store room where several young women have come and purchased gowns recently, Tate said.
Downstairs is a new room that houses the seasonal decorations. Just recently all the fall items were taken from downstairs to the thrift store upstairs with successful sales. Christmas season items will be available for shoppers after the fall season is over.
Tate has spent 21 years at Chase Corner Ministries, not consecutively, as some years she had to take off.
"For me this is a calling and it's my part to be able to do something," Tate said. "I've been blessed and able to do this 21 years," she said.
In addition to the bargain thrift store sales, Chase Corner Ministries helps families with electric bills, water bills and other emergency needs.
Tate talked about helping pay car insurance recently for people living in a car.
There has been an increase of homeless people and Chase Corner helps in any way possible. There are tents, mattresses, pots and pans, for those who need a place to live.
She recalled a day when she looked out the front door and saw a homeless man taking a bath with a water hose.
"He was trying to wash his hair. He just wanted to be clean," she said.
After that incident, Crystal said she looked into mobile shower trailers that would include laundry facilities, but the cost was an astounding $300,000.
"That would be a lot of grant money," she said.
"If a family is going through a hard time we can help," Tate said.
"Helping those who may have lost everything in a fire or in domestic situations, we can help."
Reaching for a Kleenex, Crystal said, "That family that came in here and had to leave their home and everything there. They had nothing. They came in here and we loaded them up with everything they needed, even Halloween costumes, candy and other stuff."
After ministering to that family, Crystal admitted she went home and had a good cry, "just to know you made a difference to someone, that makes you know you have to go back the next day."
Crystal said Chase Corner Ministries partners with other food pantries and those offering emergency shelter in the county and region. "It's not a competition between us."
"We call on each other," she said, mentioning a hotel manager she partners with in Spindale. When Crystal learned of a woman who couldn't go back home, she found refuge in the hotel.
"It's a God-thang. A lot of God-thangs have happened," she said.
Quietly she said, "If it's 'that' one person we can help tonight, we do."
Crystal advocates for classes to help teach people the skills needed to apply for jobs.
"Sometimes it's a generational thing and people can't see the light at the end of the tunnel."
Crystal invites people to volunteer.
"There is always something to do," she added.
Anyone needing assistance with heating costs may call 828-247-0096. Check donations for heating assistance and other ministries, can be sent to: Chase Corner Ministries, 1604 Chase High Road, Forest City 28043.
